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:
Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026