From Top Rank: The warrior as worm
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Oct 2012
WHERE in the world, wondered a nosy, world-class boxing chronicler, can you find a fighter with great credentials that could land only 49 punches in one bout?
That Japanese boxer had been peddled off--the louder the better--as a feared southpaw, a shining samurai.
The sharp snake inexplicably curled and froze into a lightless, lifeless worm when the first bell rang.
This is about the WBO super bantamweight championship between Nonito Donaire of the Philippines and Japanese star Toshiaki Nishioka in Carson City, California on Sunday.
**
Norm Frauenheim, who had done memorable pieces in praise of Manny Pacquiao, had remained deeply perplexed at Nishioka?s performance.
?There was no way Donaire and Nishioka could put together a satisfying fight,? wrote Frauenheim in an article posted by philboxing.com.
The blame fell on Nishioka for refusing to engage, an inanity that caused fans to howl and boo right after the first round.
Everybody was also left to ponder how Top Rank had taken the gall to frantically trumpet off Nishioka as a Pacquiao clone.
**
Those who knew something about the Sweet Science did not have to wait for the second round. They all started to cry ?mismatch.?
It?s funny, but the hot-selling bout instantly slipped into a cat-n-mouse vaudeville.
Of the 49 punches Nishioka had supposedly landed, only 26 were solid, the rest jabs and grazes.
Meanwhile, the computed effort of Donaire did not manifest his complete output.
The Filipino Flash, who visibly went through one hell of a training camp, in fact had to play it extra cautious, lest Nishioka broke down without taking a single big punch.
It was all so new, he had not met someone as distantly strange. So, if to a surgeon, Nonito had to operate with utmost dexterity in order to pull out the cold, cold opponent from his shaking shell.
**
Will the TKO win, registered as a 9th round stoppage, enhance Donaire?s caliber as a world-pound-for-pound star?
Well, yes and no.
The masterful effort definitely adds luster to his genius and wizardry, how he was able to turn the garbage of a mismatch into valid theater.
At the same time, the quality of opposition, the degree of danger, not to mention the doubtful difficulty, could also detract from the brilliance.
**
In the end, it?s hard to ascertain how fans could be saved from a repeat of that Japanese star performance that, absurd as it was, turned into a discredit for the sport.
Pardon this but, after all the things he was allowed to say about himself in the run-up to the Sunday main event, Nishioka must be reminded that he has also slurred the great tradition of the Samurai.
Nishioka indeed had a great record to stand on. But it cannot be denied that, if to a war plane, they had wrongly tinkered with his battle gears when they brought him back to the assembly plant in preparing for the dog fight.
The whole of Japan definitely stayed up to watch their compatriot. Now, as Nishioka rhymes with the word, his countrymen may have finally found a fit Japanese synonym for Mediocre.
For Top Rank, it?s time to try and laugh at itself.
It?s not every day that they can succeed in selling a worm as a warrior.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 04 May 2025Florentino Inumerable rules 2025 Illinois Senior State Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 04 May 2025Canelo Grinds Out Uninspiring Win Over Elusive William Scull in Saudi Arabia; Canelo-Crawford Up Next
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 04 May 2025Badou Jack Edges Norair Mikaelian in Grueling Cruiserweight Battle on Canelo-Scull Undercard
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 04 May 2025Jaime Munguía Avenges Loss, Dominates Bruno Suráce in Riyadh Rematch
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 04 May 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez World Championship Doubleheader
Sun, 04 May 2025Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia, Throws Garcia-Haney Rematch into Chaos
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Canelo and Scull Hit the Scales: Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown Set for Tomorrow in Riyadh
Sat, 03 May 2025Press Conference Notes: Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas & Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Top Monster World Championship Doubleheader Sunday in Las Vegas
Sat, 03 May 2025Triple A Promotions Presents Live Boxing at R&J Music Pavilion in San Antonio on May 10
Sat, 03 May 2025Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong sponsor Sarangani Bay Kayakfes 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 03 May 2025IIEE kickoffs Electrical Safety Month in QC and sets chess tournament in Baguio
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 03 May 2025High Profile Names Headline but Not Much Meat on the Bone in the Matchup
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 02 May 2025