FLASH?S FIRE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 06 Feb 2012
Setting aside the rather bizarre score of Ruben Garcia,115-112, in favor of Wilfredo Vasquez,Jr., it was a masterful performance turned in by Nonito Donaire,Jr. at the Alamodome. The Filipino Flash systematically broke down his Puerto Rican opponent with his rapier jab and powerful left hooks and whistling right straights. Vasquez offered little in the form of retaliation in the early rounds.
Donaire (28W-1L, 18 KO?s) had to drop his hands and do a little showboating to keep things interesting. I thought that he did not want a repeat of the Omar Narvaez borefest when he goaded Vasquez to get out of his defensive shell. His injured hand had something to do with it as well, as he revealed in a post-fight interview. Donaire can get away with a lot of things; he has the speed and reflexes reminiscent of a prime Roy Jones and Naseem Hamed.
Vasquez (21W-2L, 18 KO?s) increased his punch output in the middle rounds but Donaire?s left hook derailed the Puerto Rican?s plans to mount a rally. Vasquez was dropped in round nine and it seemed the end was near. But Vasquez managed to go the twelve round distance. Still, the gap in class was unmistakeable especially when you consider that Donaire fought with one hand; Blood was oozing from the hand wraps when he showed it on television. I agree with judges Levi Martinez and Don Trella?s scores of 117-110.
Donaire won the vacant WBO junior featherweight world title and has distinguished himself in four weight divisions.
I hope the injury will not sideline Donaire for an extended period. There are great fights to be made at the 122 pound division. Belt holders like Toshiaki Nishioka and Guillermo Rigondeaux and former champ Jorge Arce are some of the names being floated around for him.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez and Malachi Georges Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Five of World Boxing Championships
Tue, 09 Sep 2025GM candidate Ronald Dableo's squad rules Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso Inter-Barangay Chess Team Tournament, pockets P150,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Saggap, Manayon top Heritage Aquathlon
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Rizal Memorial Coliseum: The Arena That Endured War and Forged Generations of Filipino Greats
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 09 Sep 2025“The Homecoming” turned into Coronation for Marco Romero
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz Speaks After Pushing Eduardo Nunez to the Limit in Thrilling War – A Potential Fight of the Year
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Santisima Wins But Vicelles Loses; Suarez-Navarrete Rematch Hangs in the Balance?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 08 Sep 2025