Philippines, 13 Jul 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:

  • Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
    , Sat, 12 Jul 2025
  • JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Dushanbe hosts stacked fight card with Bakhodur Usmonov and Christopher Mouafo headlining IBA.Pro 8
    , Fri, 11 Jul 2025
  • Shakur vs Zepeda & Morrell vs Khataev Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Peñalosa To Test "Lover Boy" Llover Versus Accomplished Panamanian Veteran Concepcion
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Brandenburg Cup Prep Camp
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Dream Fight: “Bam” Rodriguez vs “Puma” Martinez on the Horizon
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Perez vs Vivas Headlines All Star Boxing's Prueba de Fuego Card on July 25
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions & Ringside Ticket Inc. Present ‘Lopez Vs. Vargas’ Welterweight Battle
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • Vegas Fight Experience Where Authentic Sparring Meets Cinematic Vegas Energy
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS FORMER WORLD CHAMPION TONY HARRISON
    , Thu, 10 Jul 2025
  • FIGHT EMPIRE! TUAZON, ADOR, DE BARBO, JOMAR, AND MORE ARE READY FOR ACTION IN BRICO SANTIG'S EXCITING SHOW JULY 12 IN THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Shakur Stevenson and David Morrell Face "Crossroad Fights" This Saturday in Queens
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Christy Martin’s “Mayhem in Music City 2” to Feature Undefeated Vic Hernandez Facing Jayvon Garnett for NABA & Jr. NABF Featherweight Championships
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • James Perkins & Anthony Andreozzi Headlines “Oceanside Prize Fights”
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • GORST PURSUES GOLDEN GLORY IN JEDDAH, DEFENDING WORLD POOL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SAUDI ARABIA, 21–26 JULY
    , Wed, 09 Jul 2025
  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 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.