Michael Domingo: From journeyman to contender
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Oct 2010
Michael Domingo is already an eleven year pro with a 40W (18 KO?s) -14L-D2 record. Not really impressive at first glance. His record looks even strange for a world ranked bantamweight. He never benefited from careful matchmaking especially in the early stages of his career.
He did go unbeaten in his first eleven fights with a single draw until he was stopped by Jimrex Jaca in three rounds. He would lose to Jaca on points two years later. Jaca has been campaigning at 130 to 140 lbs. for a number of years now, so it kind of makes you wonder and ponder.
He would fight in four different Asian countries only to lose to the likes of Jorge Linares of Mexico and Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym of Thailand. Linares would win a WBA world title at superfeatherweight and Poonsawat, a WBA world title at superbantamweight.
Four years ago we were on the same plane going from Cebu to Manila. I was leaving the country for a two year stint as a medical volunteer in Tanzania while he was going to France to fight Frederic Patrac for the vacant WBF bantamweight title. I was already in an internet cafe in Dar es Salaam when I read about his stoppage loss. I thought it would have made a good story back then if he had won, considering he was the last Filipino boxer I talked to before leaving for Africa.
Domingo got his first big break in 2007, when he was part of the Philippine team chosen for the Boxing ?World Cup? that routed Mexico 5-1. Domingo beat Miguel Roman by 6 round unanimous decision.
Domingo already had a WBO Oriental belt when I returned to the Philippines. But he still had his share of troubles. He was tested positive for Hepatitis B and which lead to the cancellation of his fight in the U.S. He would test negative a few months later and score a points win over a passive Monico Laurente at Cebu?s Waterfront Hotel. Michael?s friend, Z Gorres was the headliner, scoring a 7th round TKO win over Roberto Carlos Leyva of Mexico.
The ?transformation? of Michael Domingo would start six months later. In a nationally televised fight card, he became the first man to stop perennial world title challenger Jose Navarro of the U.S.
One month later, Gorres would suffer a career ending brain injury at the hands of Luis Melendez of Colombia. Domingo seethed and mourned. But Gorres? ?forced retirement? became an opportunity for Domingo to shine. The stage was set for Domingo versus Melendez.
But it was the weeks leading to this fight that we saw a different Domingo. He was more confident in his bearing. It was not an empty swagger but an aura of a winner. Maybe it was the hate fueled by watching Gorres spend weeks in an intensive care unit then months of rehab. Was it the time spent sparring with then WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa? Or was it just the product of years of obscurity and struggle which actually served as his ?on the job training??
This Domingo was totally different from the one I spoke to while waiting for our luggage in Manila four years ago.
In an emotional grudge match last May in Cebu, Domingo?s vicious left hook to the liver sent Melendez on all fours in the second round. Many were disappointed it ended early. But Domingo succeeded in sending a message, not to Melendez, but to all the belt holders out there.
Domingo is now 31 years old and faces another tough battle. Numerous contenders fade into obscurity. His fight is now for recognition and a shot at the world title. His name was mentioned as a possible opponent for WBO champion Fernando Montiel early this year but the Mexican star chose the less experienced Ciso Morales. Domingo was also offered as an opponent to IBF champ Yonnhy Perez but the Colombian chose the more popular Abner Mares.
The boxer called ?Bruce Lee? because of his resemblance to the late Hong Kong martial arts superstar will fight Vusi Malinga this October 30 in an IBF eliminator. It is a long way from his hometown of Sultan Kudarat to South Africa. But if he wins and gets a title shot the journey will be worth it. It will also be a different Domingo fighting on the road this time around.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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