Nonito Donaire tame "The Menace" with his fists

photo credit: Scott Halleran/Getty Images

Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), the WBO super bantamweight champion made short work of challenger Jorge Arce inside three rounds. The Filipino Flash blitzed El Travieso in the fight and into retirement with his fast and powerful hands. And as usual, Nonito Donaire made an emphatic statement with his fists on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The total number of punches thrown by Nonito Donaire belies his dominance but confirms the power packed in his hands: landing 27 of 93 punches thrown for 30% clip against Jorge Arce's anemic 13 of 96 connection for a mediocre 14% rate.

Jorge Arce (61-7-2, 46 KOs), the Mexican veteran, was never in the fight. Aside from skills and talent, the Filipino fighter's edge in all departments are enormous: the punching power difference was obvious, the reach advantage was glaring, and the disparity in size was plain to see. Yes, Jorge Arce was tailor-made for Nonito Donaire to be massacred.

It was apparent to the casual ring observer that Jorge Arce was intimidated by his opponent's reputation inside the ring even before he climbed into it. Thus, we can say, like many that came before him, Jorge Arce already lost the battle inside his head and only needed a validation of some sort inside the ring to confirm what he feared or believed.

Nonito Donaire is boxing's version of "The Great Intimidator." Yes, folks, that's what Nonito Donaire does to his opponents. How many times have we seen fighters with glowing records who melted under Nonito Donaire's glare? How many times have we seen boxers with solid ring credentials who tripped when they entered the ring with Nonito Donaire? Now we can add Jorge Arce's name to that growing list of Nonito Donaire's 'famous' victims.

After a ho-hum first round, Nonito Donaire sent an omen of things to come to the very wary Jorge Arce, with a short right straight down the middle that led to the referee's mandatory eight count on the Mexican in the second round.

In the fateful third round, Jorge Arce abandoned his cautious approach in favor of his old reliable style and decided to mix it up with Nonito Donaire. Big mistake, as the Filipino Flash quickly put an end to his night: a combination of a powerful right and three successive lefts put Jorge Arce on his back with less than a second left in the round.

Yes Houston, Nonito Donaire had no problem at all in disposing Jorge Arce in his usual 'boring' fashion. Jorge Arce was easy pickings for Nonito Donaire and many boxing observers believed that we have not seen Nonito Donaire's best yet.

Maybe a fight with Abner Mares or Guillermo Rigondeaux, two of the best fighters in the division, will be the catalyst for the real Nonito Donaire to finally burst out of his shell?

Note: This article was first published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner.

Dazed and Confused: Donaire dazzles, Nishioka crumbles in California

photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images

When Roy Jones, Jr. speaks about Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s attributes as a boxer, the former pound-for-pound great has only positive things to say: "Donaire has the skills, speed, power, agility, great foot movement and very explosive!" He opined that Donaire has the "quality to be what a pound-for-pound fighter is" and believes the Filipino fighter is the "best fighter in the world today."

By disposing every fighter who steps in his way with ease, Nonito Donaire, Jr. was the prohibitive favorite coming into the fight to win over a supposedly tough and durable Toshiaki Nishioka, the WBC super bantamweight emeritus. On paper, the protagonists' resumes were impressive as both were on a hot win streak: Donaire has not lost a fight in 11 years while Nishioka has not tasted defeat in 8 years. Throughout their careers, they have faced quality opponents and have earned their rightful place in the sport.

And by virtue of their fearsome records (Donaire 29-1, 18 KOs and Nishioka 39-4-3, 24 KOs) and their reputations as two of the best fighters in the division, it was only fitting that the people inside the arena and those glued to their TV sets were expecting nothing but a barnburner from Nonito Donaire, Jr. and Toshiaki Nishioka. After all, they were not nicknamed the Filipino Flash and Speed King respectively for nothing.

In fact, the promoters, HBO Boxing and their rah-rah boys have bombarded the boxing sphere for weeks about the Donaire-Nishioka super bantamweight showdown for the WBO title. They were so sure about the fireworks that will explode on fight night that they were pronouncing the event as Fight of the Year (FOY) material. But some of them, though, have probably not heard of Robert Burns before, yet the Ploughman Poet's words echoed at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on fight night: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men."

And so the fight went on with only Nonito Donaire, Jr. showing up for the fight. Toshiaki Nishioka, the Japanese samurai, was a no-show and nowhere to be found in the biggest stage of the biggest fight of his career. No Kamikaze attacks, no Banzai charge but just a token resistance from the fighter from the land of the rising sun.

In the fight, Toshiaki Nishioka exhibited one of the worst cases of nerves in recent memory, which is quite a surprise especially for somebody who was touted as a warrior. In this particular fight, Nishioka was mentally and physically finished just seconds into the first round and probably regrets finding himself trading leather with Nonito Donaire, Jr. He was so wary and intimidated by Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s vaunted left hook that he spent the night in retreat, on the defensive and refusing to engage in battle.

With just 58 seconds remaining in the sixth round, Nishioka's worst fear came in the form of a left upper cut to the chin from Donaire that dropped him on the seat of his pants. Though he tried to put up some fights in the next few rounds after that, it was clear that he does not have the will to go to war with the Filipino.

And with 1:54 in the 9th round, Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s right straight landed into Nishioka's kisser that snapped his head and put him on the seat of his pants for the second time in the fight. Although the Japanese fighter was able to beat the count, it was the prelude to the end of the ugly fight as his corner finally threw in the towel shortly thereafter to end his pitiful night.

Nonito Donaire, Jr., the Filipino Flash dazzled us with his power and quick hands, his double-fisted attacks, his purposeful movements and solid footwork inside the ring. We can even say that Donaire's offensive arsenal is one of the best, if not the best in the business. Yet, to some people watching the fight, the masterpiece that Donaire was painting against Nishioka inside the ring seemed to lack the proverbial explosion of color and soul that many expect from him.

From all angles, it was a clinical demolition administered by Nonito Donaire, Jr. on the hapless and bewildered Toshiaki Nishioka. But despite outclassing his opponent, the Filipino Flash failed to put on the requisite fireworks that were needed in the fight. Some people even believed that Nonito Donaire, Jr. could have ended the fight early if he wanted to, just to save them from the agony of watching a one-sided fight.
And Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s post-fight statements supports their belief.

"We know that we can end the fight with one punch. And that what's happened. We just want him to make a mistake and well get him. And he made a mistake."

"When you do engage, Nonito is a surgeon. The demolition man comes in and knocks you out."

For all of Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s talent and skills, time and again and sometimes through no fault of his own, he has uncannily found himself in boring one-sided fights. Because of Nonito Donaire, Jr.'s huge talent and skills, the bar for his exploits inside the ring was set way up high. Thus, even if Nonito Donaire, Jr. would ultimately end up knocking the lights out of his opponents, many fight fans would sometimes not be satisfied with the way he fights.

For example, this writer has watched the Donaire-Nishioka fight with five other boxing fans over some pizzas and beer, and these guys are no ordinary or run-of-the-mill fight fans, for they know their boxing well. They have been around and witnessed the Kronk and Tommy Hearns era in Detroit.

But despite watching Nonito Donaire, Jr. running rings around Toshiaki Nishioka and giving the Japanese a neat boxing lesson, and eventually stopping him in the 9th round, they were of the opinion that there was something lacking in the fight. They compared the fight to the food offerings typically found in a fast food chain -- bland, hard to swallow and no flavor at all.

And there lies the rub.

Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

For Love of the Game: Vic Darchinyan manhandles Luis Del Valle

Photo Credit: VakhtangVicDarchinyan/Facebook

There was a time when Vic Darchinyan was the most feared fighter in his division. There was a time when Vic Darchinyan could gore and bully his way against anybody who dared to step into his path. There was a time when Vic Darchinyan was invincible in the eyes of many boxing observers. Yes, there was a time when Vic Darchinyan, the Raging Bull from Armenia fighting out of Australia was on top of the boxing world...

Up until he came across the nightmare that is Nonito Donaire, Jr., and his myth of invincibility went pfft. And with a single blow from Donaire's wicked left hook to the chin, Vic Darchinyan's world crumbled to the ground and he was never the same again.

After that first blot on his once-unblemished career, Vic Darchinyan embarked on a rollercoaster ride: eking out a draw against Z Gorres; bombing his way through Dmitri Kirilov, Christian Mijares and Jorge Arce; stumbling against Joseph Agbeko and Abner Mares; rebounding against Yonnhy Perez and then dropping consecutive losses to Anselmo Moreno and Shinsuke Yamanaka.

At 36, Vic Darchinyan, who once held at one time or another every major championship belt in boxing's alphabet soup in every division that he fought in, is obviously at the tail-end of his career. But Vic Darchinyan is a proud man, more so a very proud fighter. His pride and desire to win is the fire that fuels his drive to fight whoever and whenever the boxing gods bring him.

And so, it was on Saturday night that he brought his wares to the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut for the HBO Boxing After Dark fight card against a young and undefeated prospect in Luis Del Valle in a 10-round bout (the first time Darchinyan has appeared in a 10-rounder in 10 years) for the 'lowly' NABF super bantamweight crown.

Vic Darchinyan, who used to headline his fights, but had to play second fiddle to the Edwin Rodriguez-Jason Escalera main event this time around, did not mind the demotion. All Vic Darchinyan was concerned about was to give a good account of himself inside the ring as well as show that he still has the goods to be a player in his division.

Right after the opening bell as his wont and amid the chants of his fans and supporters, Vic Darchinyan immediately initiates contact. He attacks and probes Luis Del Valle's defenses. The two fighters exchanged power punches, testing each others will and chin.

The partisan crowd chanted Dar-chin-yan! Dar-chin-yan! as they applauded their fighter, unorthodox and herky-jerky and trying to bully his way against the young Luis Del Valle.

Luis Del Valle, a brave young lion, stood his ground and tried to engage Vic Darchinyan punch for punch, power for power and grit for grit. But as the fight went on, it was obvious that the young fighter's will was no match for the veteran's aggression.

Vic Darchinyan used every trick in the book to daze and confuse his young inexperienced opponent. He bulldozed and rushed his way, pushing and smothering his opponent as he pummeled him with power shot after power shot. He would hug and clinch his way out of trouble on a few times that Del Valle's punches found its mark.

Vic Darchinyan descended on Luis Del Valle with mean intentions, throwing bombs along the way. But Luis Del Valle showed his big heart and strong will. His chin took all that Darchinyan could give and dished out his own brand of damage.

In rounds 4 and 5, Vic Darchinyan started to wither his game opponent as Del Valle elected to engage him in a brawl. Vic Darchinyan, by this time, was landing his big left upstairs.

In round 6, Vic Darchinyan gave Luis Del Valle lessons in pro boxing, old dirty tricks and all: leading with his heads, elbows, forearms, etc. The rough-house tactics took their toll on Luis Del Valle, and he has the marks and cuts to show for it -- a cut on the bridge of the nose as well as a gash on the chin.

The brutal beating continued in rounds 7 and 8 as Luis Del Valle traded with Vic Darchinyan, but the Armenian was beating him to the punch and landing at will. But Luis Del Valle is a young warrior and so full of heart; he would come back albeit landing one hard shot at a time while receiving several hard shots in the exchanges.

In the last 60 seconds of the fight, he landed a right hand on Darchinyan that made him backtrack a bit and momentarily halted the attacks. However, Vic Darchinyan came back and retaliated with hard shots of his own up until the end of the round.

The last two rounds were an exhibit of 'how to take everything on the chin,' literally and figuratively speaking. Despite at the receiving end of vicious punches, you can never count Luis Del Valle out though, a young and determined fighter with power in both hands who is always dangerous at any time in any round in a fight.

The 9th round looked one-sided in favor of Vic Darchinyan, looking more like the Raging Bull of old; he is administering a good old fashioned beating on his opponent when Luis Del Valle's left hook snuck and found its mark on Darchinyan's face, visibly rocking him and stopping him in his tracks. Luis Del Valle tried to move in for the kill but Vic Darchinyan fought back while eluding his attacker's assaults and survived the round.

Vic Darchinyan may be dominating and menacing in the ring but his style also makes him vulnerable; thus, there is always drama in his fights. And most fight fans love these kinds of drama.

Vic Darchinyan came back strong in the 10th and final round to seal the win. The judges gave Vic Darchinyan a unanimous decision winning by 99-91, 99-91, 96-94 on all scorecards. Vic Darchinyan landed a high 54% 205/381 of his powershots to Luis Del Valle's anemic 25% 129/524. Luis Del Valle threw more punches 577 to 552 but Vic Darchinyan landed more 227 to 132, a 41% to 23% statistical edge.

Vic Darchinyan traveled to Connecticut and may have gotten himself an 'insignificant' piece of hardware if we put into account where he was coming from. But to Vic Darchinyan, it does not really matter whether the price is big or small, because all he wants to do is fight.

Yes, the Raging Bull showed that there is still a lot of fight left in him, and Vic Darchinyan wants to have more fights in the future and it will not hurt boxing if we give him more chances to fight.

Note: This article was previously published on Detroit Fight Sports Examiner

In Harm's Way: Nonito Donaire, Jr. bludgeons Wladimir Sidorenko into submission

"Filipino boxing sensation Nonito Donaire, Jr. brutalized and hammered his way to a knock out victory over the outclassed Wladimir Sidorenko knocking him down thrice during the fight with the last one coming from a right straight that forced the Ukranian to take a knee and was counted out by the referee 1:48 into the 4th in the co- main event feature of Top Rank's In Harm's Way fight card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA."


Read the full article HERE


/photo credit: Top Rank Boxing/ Chris Farina

Pinoy Power 2

The Pinoy Power 2 boxing showcase at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas did not live up to its billing. At least, 'power'-wise.

Although the massive fireworks expected by the crowd and predicted by experts did not occur, still, the fight card assembled by Top Rank was competitive and entertaining because of some unpredictable events that occurred in the fight.

The Filipinos in the card, namely Nonito Donaire Jr, Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen, had contrasting fortunes when the night was over.

The Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, Jr won a 12- round unanimous decision despite riding his bicycle up to the finish line in his super flyweight debut against a really tough opponent in Rafael Concepcion of Panama. The Panamanian who earlier failed to make the weight and was fined with 20% of his prize money gave Donaire all that he could handle in the fight.

In the early rounds, many ringside observers felt that Donaire would be too much for Concepcion and it will be a short night as the Filipino connected with several power blows that rocked his opponent. But Concepcion withered the storm and came back with a fury of his own against the Filipino. He rocked Donaire on numerous occasions with his heavy right hand especially in the middle rounds whenever he would engage him.

Sensing that Concepcion’s added weight could handle his power punches and he was getting hit in close-quarter exchanges, the Filipino Flash switched to his dancing shoes as he sniped and countered the game Concepcion from afar for the rest of the fight to earn the decision.

It was not an impressive one for Donaire but he did what he had to do to make his debut in a higher weight class a success. A win is a win but he needs a lot of work in order to emulate Manny Pacquiao’s success in hopping from one division to another.

The much-hyped Bernabe Concepcion who’s being groomed by some quarters as the next Manny Pacquiao was quite a disappointment. Sure, he has the moves and power like the Pacman as shown in his previous fights but tonight he was nothing but a very ordinary and boring fighter.

When he finally showed his vaunted power to his opponent, it was too late. It was too late because when he sneaked a vicious right hand into Luevano’s chin that flattened him to the ground, the bell ending the 7th round had sounded. Hence, the well- deserved disqualification.

WBO Featherweight champion Steven Luevano, a pitty-patty puncher with sound fundamentals gave him a neat boxing lesson and showed us that one doesn’t need to have a lot of power in one’s hands to be a champion.

Despite Freddie Roach’s presence in his corner, he is still a work in progress and needs a lot to learn on how to adjust his game plan in the ring.

Of the three Filipino fighters in the card, it was Mark Jason Melligen’s power that impressed us the most when he delivered a masterful beating en route to a fourth round demolition of Mexican veteran Ernesto Zepeda.

Slowly but surely, Melligen’s stock is rising as he has now won his 10th straight fight and boosted his record to 16-1, 12 of which inside the distance.


Let's re-live Bernabe Concepcion's 'impressive' hard right at the bell-




and Mark Jason Melligen's frantic finish--




video credits: S2p0r0a0y9

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire TKO'd Luis Maldonado

Philippine IBF/IBO Flyweight World Champion Nonito “Flash” Donaire successfully defended his crown against the game Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado winning by 8th round Technical Knockout.

The Filipino Flash dominated the fight held in Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut Saturday night and clearly outclassed the challenger. He also dropped Maldonado in the 7th round before the referee Arthur Mercante Jr. stopped the fight at 2:21 in the 8th.

Nonito Donaire has the making of a boxing superstar following in the big footsteps of the sensational Manny Pacquiao in the future.

I say, he is even better in boxing skills compared to Manny Pacquiao in his early years although not as devastating with his hands as the former.

But he is a joy to watch inside the ring and a well- polished fighter owing to his amateur background with power to boot in both hands and also the big heart and the angst that come with it.

He will be a future multi- division world champion and a force to reckon with in the square ring as long as he stays focused and disciplined in his career.

Watch the December 1, 2007 Championship Fight and be the judge...