DONAIRE SCORES BRUTAL KO OF SIDORENKO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Dec 2010
Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire had warned former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko that he was putting himself in ?Harm?s Way? when he entered the ring to face-off against him in a battle for the WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California yesterday.
Sidorenko soon realized the warning was real as Donaire battered and bloodied the Ukraine boxer dropping him three times in four rounds to score a brutal knockout victory.
Donaire who had told the Inquirer and ABS-CBN?s Dyan Castillejo that he ?never felt better? and was ?eager to put on an impressive showing? against the tough Ukraine fighter who won a bronze medal in the Sydney, Australia 2000 Olympic Games, more than accomplished the task.
Donaire conceded that Sidorenko was a tough opponent but that he wanted to make a statement to reigning WBC/WBO champion Fernando Montiel by knocking him out for the first time in his career, began his task in the very first round. Donaire dropped the former world champion with a numbing right hook that saw him stagger towards the referee in serious trouble before being saved by the bell.
Working behind a stinging jab and demonstrating his remarkable hand-speed and movement, Donaire bided his time but hurt Sidorenko with some solid punches to take control of the fight by the end of round two.
Donaire reprised the devastating counter left hook that demolished cocky Vic Drachinyan on July 7, 2007 to send Sidorenko crashing to the canvas for the second time in the fight. Continuing to move in and out and cracking Sidorenko from different angles using his speed very much in the style of his idol and Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao, Donaire bloodied the face of the Ukraine fighter who was making his first appearance in the United States.
A cool and methodical Donaire gradually ripped Sidorenko turning his face into a grotesque mass of blood before an explosive combination dropped him for the third time with the referee having no hesitation in calling it off at 1:48 of the fourth round as Sidorenko, with blood pouring out of his nostrils and his face all cut up was clearly in no position to continue.
With the win Donaire improved to 25-1 with 17 knockouts and although in its last pound-for-pound ratings Ring Magazine which is owned by Oscar De La Hoya moved Juan Manuel Marquez into the No. 4 spot and dropped Donaire to No.5, the widely acknowledged successor to Pacquiao made a strong statement of his intentions to enhance his reputation and follow the career path of Pacquiao.
Donaire had previously told the Inquirer that he is eventually set on moving up through the weight divisions to perhaps super featherweight or even lightweight where the late great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde reigned as world champion for almost seven-and-a-half years.
Donaire who plans to return home with wife Rachael for Christmas said he had ?worked really hard and am motivated for Montiel.? Throughout the fight a confident trainer Robert Garcia told Donaire to ?relax and do what you do best? Donaire credited Garcia for his success saying ?he pushed me. He believes in me.?
Donaire said he had ?a lot of respect? for Sidorenko but stressed he was ?excited about the Montiel fight which will be one of the best and people want to see it.? Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KO?s) is expected to prevail over Eduardo Garcia (21-5-1, 9 KO?s) when they clash in a title showdown on December 11 in Mexico setting the stage for the big fight Donaire has been chasing since he knocked out Drachinyan to win the IBF/IBO flyweight title in July 2007 in the ?Knockout of the Year? which was also voted the ?Upset of the Year.?
In an action-packed phone booth brawl WBC lightweight champion Himberto Soto was tested to the limit before scoring a surprisingly close but unanimous decision over former Pacquiao sparring partner Urbano Antillon. A one point deduction by referee Ray Corona for a low blow in round five cost the gallant Antillon a draw as the judges scored it 114-113,114-113 and 115-112 although in the Inquirer?s unofficial scorecard the more precise punching of Sotto merited a 116-112 margin.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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