NO SURPRISE BUT STILL VERY IMPRESSIVE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 16 Dec 2012
What did you expect?
Nonito Donaire is the bigger man. He is younger, less battle-worn, faster and obviously more powerful. Jorge Arce built his career on blood and brawn. ?Travieso? was always fun to watch and is one of boxing?s most colourful personalities. But he was way over his head in this match-up.
Donaire?s victory came at a time when the Filipino nation was still coming to grips with the devastating sixth round knockout loss suffered by Manny Pacquiao at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez last week. It provided a much needed tourniquet for a nation?s wounded pride.
The ?Filipino Flash? used his long and sharp jab as an offensive and defensive weapon, keeping the Mexican at arm?s length. In the second, a short right from Donaire sent Arce on his knees for a split second.
But Arce showed his Mexican warrior spirit and soldiered forward. In the first half of the third round, Arce seemed to find his rhythm and as he tried to close the gap. But Donaire was unfazed by the pressure. He created space and landed another powerful right followed by two hard left uppercuts that dropped Arce for the second time in the fight. A terrible end was in sight for the Mexican when he got up as Donaire closed in for the kill and landed his lethal left hook that sent Arce flat on his back.
The carnage ended with a second left in the round.
This was also the 31st career win Donaire, 20 by KO, with only one loss. The 33 year old veteran Arce suffers his seventh loss in his 70 fight, sixteen year pro career
The 30 year old Donaire is unquestionably at the pinnacle of his powers. His last eight wins since 2010 have been against boxers who have worn world title belts ? Hernan Marquez, Volodymyr Sydorenko, Fernando Montiel, Omar Narvaez, Wilfredo Vasquez,Jr, Jeffrey Mathebula, Toshiaki Nishioka and Arce.
With his fourth win this year, Donaire furthered his stance as a leading candidate for Fighter of the Year. Slowly but surely, he has emerged from Pacquiao?s long shadow.
PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS IN BOXING
Due to recent events, the issue of drug testing is once again under scrutiny. Both Pacquiao and Marquez have tested negative.
I do believe Pacquiao?s momentum brought him in contact with Marquez? short right and doubled the strength of the impact. But it was an excellent punch.
Marquez did not do anything new. If you review the films of their first three fights, Marquez always had success landing his right hand lead, one of the weapons a right-hander uses against a southpaw like Pacquiao. Marquez's trainer Nacho Beristain said in his pre-fight interviews that ?We?re working on more strength and velocity.".
So it was the same hand, same counterpunching strategy used in their previous fights but with more force, more velocity.
With that said, professional boxing should adapt more meticulous testing procedures, not just in the U.S. but here in the Philippines as well. We have been rather complacent that destitute Pinoy boxers who don?t have enough money to buy rice cannot afford to buy PEDS. But there is always a first time for everything.
We have also seen an increase in the number of foreign fighters coming over. Who is monitoring their testing procedures?
I?m not the guy who makes policy, I?m only the guy who makes suggestions. But I do think the powers that be should re-examine our testing protocols for banned substances. Let?s not wait for something really bad to happen.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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