FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR THE FLASH
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Jul 2012
The three judges? scorecards underscored Nonito Donaire?s dominance. It was not his most aesthetically pleasing win but he?ll take it. I guess Jeffrey Mathebula already knew he was in with a guy he couldn?t beat as early as the opening round. But his Zulu warrior ancestry made him try and he did have his moments with his awkward style and long jab.
Donaire?s left hook in the fourth dropped Mathebula like he was shot. The bell was merciful.
In the eighth round, Mathebula decided to borrow Omar Narvaez and Joshua Clottey?s playbooks and went on the defensive. The Filipino Flash tried to go for the spectacular but eventually had to listen to the scorecards. South Africa?s Deon Dwarte even gave him the widest margin at 119-108.
Donaire now owns the WBO and IBF belts in the 122 lb division. It is very rare that a Filipino boxer is involved in a unification match. In 2004, Manny Pacquiao, who was recognized as the linear featherweight world champion by Ring magazine, fought WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez but the fight ended in a split draw.
Toshiaki Nishioka was at Donaire?s side while he was being interviewed and talked about a possible fight. Nishioka is ranked number one in the superbantamweight division by Ring magazine even if he relinquished his WBC title. Nishioka?s scored an impressive win recently against Rafael Marquez.
Abner Mares of the U.S. now has that title and is also a potential Donaire opponent. Another superbout for Donaire is WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, who is fresh from a stunning TKO win over Teon Kennedy. There is also the entertaining Jorge Arce.
Will Donaire stay at 122 and strive to be the first Filipino boxer to win all four major belts in a division or will he move up and test himself against a champ at 126? With so many excellent choices, fans can expect another terrific match-up against another title holder in his next bout.
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