Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Can Donaire restore the Pacquiao monument?


PhilBoxing.com




HIS latest stoppage, brilliant and crisp, had more than enough solid elements of a gross mismatch.

But after the carnage in Houston over the weekend, Nonito Donaire Jr., in a flash, was left with tougher roles to fill.

He also has as many aches to assuage.

The bout, a budding mismatch from Day 1, looked gory enough it was next branded hysterically as a vindication of the shock and shame delivered by Manny Pacquiao?s monumental fall and filthy foldup in Las Vegas a week earlier.

* * *

It?s a Christmas gift from Bob Arum, this reporter remembers informing international boxing correspondent Anthony Andales the moment the bout was announced.

What do you mean?

It will be a lollipop.

Explain, please.

Arce, who loves to go around with that balled candy in his mouth, will be left out there for the lusty licking.

* * *

It?s like this. It would?ve been a little sweeter, a sort of Christmas prizefight package, if the Mexican firebrand had been allowed to spit out some patented venom in the opening rounds.

Donaire was not exactly in a hurry, neither was he being impatient.

But the respected Jimmy Tobin, in a post for Cruelest Sport, scored perfectly in saying that, this time, Donaire did not even bother to first size up his foe.

If the sensational stoppage had indeed catapulted Donaire as Fighter of the Year, the bout should also go down as the most forgettable of the period.

* * *

As expected, they next had to wonder why Arum was in a frantic haste to put Donaire up the world pound-for-pound ladder.

Was the tasteless stoppage, against an ?aging, undersized but still adored warrior? strong enough to push Donaire onward as pay-per-view attraction?

To tell the truth, the Donaire victory, his fourth this year and second straight by knockout, has also led plain fans and self-styled experts to ask if, say, Donaire could step up to the Manny Pacquiao legend.

* * *

?Will he finally move up from 122 pounds to a full featherweight?

He said he?s at home as super bantam, but it?s in their program to move up to featherweight proper next year.

?Can he approximate the achievements of Pacquiao, like winning world crowns in eight separate weight divisions?

That?s quite doubtful. The Pacman is a golden act that may never be duplicated in this lifetime.

?You mean Donaire is just another ordinary fighter?

No, Nonito is a wonder worker, easily more crafty and skillful than Pacquiao. He?s indeed a gem, but he?s only human.

?What do you mean?

Pacquiao was a storm, a magical warrior, a human ball of fire, a national treasure.

* * *

?Was it not right to say Donaire, with his victory, has vindicated the Philippines after that shocking Pacquiao loss to Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas?

Everybody has reason to feel delighted, to be relieved, this should add to the Christmas cheer hereabouts.

?You mean Donaire was unable to avenge the Pacquiao defeat?

Avenge is definitely not the right term.

?What?s wrong?

You must realize it?s only Pacquiao who could properly avenge that shocking defeat. He must score a monumental win in order to restore his stature.

?What do you mean?

Pacquiao is a living monument. When Marquez stopped him, the feat was equal to uprooting our national monument and transporting it over to Mexico. Only Pacquiao, or anybody of his mythical greatness, should be able to win back the uprooted treasure. Nobody and nothing less.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.