Underdog Boxing: Everything starts again for Nonito Donaire 

Last year was hot and cold for Nonito Donaire (27-1-0, 18 KOs). He started out with a bang when he knocked out Fernando Montiel in the second round. The check hook Donaire threw was so brutal that it won the Knockout of the Year Award from almost every boxing website or magazine that gave out such awards.

 

However, for the second time in his career, Donaire failed to capitalize on what was a career-defining victory. The first time this happened, it was everyone else’s fault. After he knocked out Vic Darchinyan, no one wanted to face Donaire. He fought against class B and class C fighters when the world knew he deserved to share the ring with the best fighters in his division.

 

The second time Donaire’s career froze, it was his fault. He tried to wiggle out of the promotional contract he had with Top Rank. But Bob Arum made sure Donaire’s contract was iron-clad. Donaire was prevented from jumping ship to Golden Boy Promotions. The only good thing that happened in this incident is that Donaire was able to renegotiate his existing deal into a better one. Although he scored a victory over an unwilling Omar Narvaez late last year, it was clear that the momentum Donaire was in after the Montiel fight was all but gone.

 

This Sunday, Donaire will gun for his third legitimate world title. He held the IBF flyweight title and the WBO and WBC bantamweight titles. Donaire also had a brief stint holding the  interim WBA super flyweight title  but he was not able to challenge for the real thing.  

His fight on Sunday will also mark Donaire’s debut at the super bantamweight division. He will take on Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. (21-1-1, 18 Kos) for the WBO super bantamweight title.

 

Vasquez is a tough opponent at 122 pounds. He held the title that will be up for grabs this Sunday but he lost it to Jorge Arce last year. When Arce decided to head back to the bantamweight division, Vasquez and Donaire were selected to battle for the vacant title.

 

The Puerto Rican is a big super bantamweight and has decent power on both hands. The only problem he has is his tendency to fade late in fights. There are also rumors that Vasquez is having a tough time cutting down the extra pounds. If he comes to the fight against Donaire drained, it will be nearly impossible for him to regain the WBO bantamweight title.

 

Donaire needs to capitalize on his speed advantage to get the upper hand but he needs to be wary of Vasquez’ power. Donaire has never faced a stronger opponent and Donaire’s power is also untested at the super bantamweight division so he might need to start a little slow in this fight just to be safe.  

The Filipino Flash enjoys a lofty ranking in most pound-for-pound rankings but not everyone is convinced that he is indeed one of the best fighters in the world. Donaire needs to win this fight to convince his doubters to think otherwise.

 

There is a tremendous amount of pressure on Donaire’s shoulders. He is expected to carry the cudgels for Philippine boxing after Manny Pacquiao’s retires in the near future. Donaire needs to establish himself as a superstar and a dominant performance over a tremendous fighter in Vasquez will do just that.  

Donaire has endured two aborted takeoffs but this year we should all expect the best from the Filipino Flash.  -- OMG, GMA News