DONAIRE FAILS BID TO ACHIEVE TRUE GREATNESS AT NYC
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Apr 2013
NEW YORK, APRIL 13, 2013 -- In another painful loss for the Philippines, WBO, Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond Belt champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire was beaten by WBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigndeaux in a lackluster unification title bout before a sell-out crowd at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Donaire who only two days ago received the coveted "Fighter of the Year" award from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America failed to live up to the hopes the award conjured as Donaire sought to move into the threshold of true greatness which was denied him by Rigondeaux whose speed, quick reflexes and footwork befuddled the four division world champion.
Donaire's loss follows the crushing 6th round knockout of Manny Pacquiao by Juan Manuel Marquez last December 8 and WBO/WBA flyweight champion Brian Vloria's split decision loss to Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last April 6.
As Donaire predicted his showdown with Rigondeaux began as a tactical fight and although Rigondeaux promised to be the aggressor he hardly pressed the action except in the last two rounds when he connected with a lightning left hand in the 11th that left Donaire with a badly swollen right eye which forced him to keep his hands up to protect the eye which gave Rigondeaux the confidence to move forward and clinch the round handily.
The Cuban caught Donaire with a good left in the closing minute of the first round as the crowd chanted "Nonito! Nonito!" who connected with a solid combination in round two followed by a hard left hook.
The next three rounds were uneventful as Donaire couldn't connect and Rigondeaux kept out of reach before connecting with two good shots in round six prompting trainer Robert Garcia to tell Donaire "you've got to pick it up."
The fight continued to play out like a chess match but WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley who worked the fights with Col. Bob Sheridan for Top Rank gave the round to Donaire although it was clear the Filipino needed to throw more punches.
Garcia kept telling Donaire to keep his focus as the WBO champion appeared to be looking to take out Rigondeaux with one big shot.
Asked by Garcia to back Rigondeaux up against the ropes at the end of round nine, the "Trainer of the Year" pleaded, "think of your family and think of your baby."
Donaire responded with his finest moment in the fight when he nailed Rigondeaux with a cracking left hook which has been his most lethal weapon and dropped the Cuban who quickly rose to his feet giving an indication of his superb physical condition.
Just when the fans expected him to press the advantage Donaire appeared unable to cut the distance and connect with power shots and while Rigondeaux connected with some low blows and questionable tactics he was gaining the upperhand against an increasingly frustrated Donaire.
He needed a big round to re-establish his superiority but it never came. Instead it was Rigondeaux who caught Donaire with a vicious left that ripped into his right eye which began to swell immediately causing concern in his corner.
Rigondeaux often spun Donaire around and the fans started to boo the Cuban as Donaire chased him but he refused to engage.
All three judges scored the fight for Rigondeaux with the knockdown in round ten overcome by Rigondeaux taking the last two rounds to clinch the unanimous decision
Judge John Stewart scored it 114-113, John Schreck 115-112 and Julie Lederman a questionable 116-111.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum didn't disagree with the decision and said he had Rigondeaux ahead by one point while Top Rank president Todd duBeof told the Manila Standard he couldn't understand how a fighter who ran all night long could win a title fight although Bradley also had the Cuban the winner.
In a post fight interview the new undisputed champion said "He's a great fighter but you can't win a fight with one punch" referring to Donaire's obsession with landing one big shot to end the fight."
Donaire told the Standard and ABS-CBN "I didnt use my head. I wanted to knock him out. I was careless in the last round and he impaired my vision but I was not groggy. I was stupid and failed to change my fight plan."
He apologized to the Filipino fans for failing to keep my promise but I gave it my best shot and I thank you for al your support.. Donaire said he had difficulty making the weight and will move up to featherweight for his next fight" which Arum said would be against former world featherweight champion Juanma Lopez in Puerto Rico later this year after Donaire undergoes surgery for a torn ligament in his right shoulder.
Garcia said Rigondeaux "came in with a good gameplan and it was a difficult fight. He was fighting very smart. Nonito made the mistake of letting Rigondeaux get off in those last two rounds and thats what made the difference."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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