IF you have seen it, you would want to watch it repeatedly.
Courtesy of Last Rounder Tom John Pineda who was kind enough to provide the link (http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/07/08/nonito-donaire-kos-vic-darchinyan/), I watched the clip of Nonito Donaire’s fantastic knockout of Vic Darchinyan and was very impressed with the coup de grace.
Just as Darchinyan was preparing to throw his vaunted left, The “Filipino Flash” unleashed a beautifully timed left hook, which landed smack on the cocky Armenian’s chin. Darchinyan’s right hand was way down low, and it cost him big time.
Tom shared the link, as he wanted to convince me that the left hook is also one of the deadliest punches in boxing.
Yes, Tom, I agree wholeheartedly. Especially if it’s thrown by IBF Flyweight champion Nonito Donaire. Thanks for the assist, buddy.
FLAWED PUNCHER. Nonito’s victory exposed Vic Darchinyan as another one of those flawed power punchers in the mold of Naseem Hamed and Acelino Freitas.
Hamed was undefeated and fast earning a reputation as one of the hardest punchers pound-for-pound when he ran into the technically sound Marco Antonio Barrera. The latter administered a boxing clinic on “The Prince” whose power was negated by the superior skills of the “Baby Faced Assassin” who at that time was still at his fighting prime.
Power puncher Acelino Freitas’ first loss was handed to him by the late Diego Corrales. “Chico” saw “Popo’s” wide punches coming a mile away and wisely picked him apart with sharp straight punches, which landed first every time they brawled. The result? This Brazilian hero broke the hearts of his countrymen when he pulled a “No Mas” in the 10th round.
VALERO NEXT. As I am writing this column, I am watching Venezuelan Edwin Valero on TV fighting Nobuhito Honmo. Due to cuts sustained by the latter, Valero wins via TKO, but this guy is just another Darchinyan waiting to happen. He wades in with his hands low, practically begging for a wicked counter.
I’ll always pick a technically sound boxer anytime over a power puncher. The latter is fun to watch, but being a crowd pleaser doesn’t always bring home the bacon.
NO MORE BRIANS PLEASE. During the post fight interview, Nonito acknowledged the fact that most of his countrymen doubted him and that he hoped he would get our support from now on.
I admit that I was among those who thought Nonito did not stand a chance against Darchinyan. But I guess this would be largely due to the fact that Nonito was relatively an unknown here, and we never had a chance to see any of his fights.
Don’t worry, Nonito, you got the Last Rounders solidly behind you now. But please don’t pull a Brian Viloria on us. After wowing us with a spectacular first round knockout en route to annexing a world crown, Brian proceeded to break our hearts in his succeeding fights.
We are all hoping you will not be a “Filipino Flash-in-the-pan”.
LAST ROUNDERS. Reacting to my planned sojourn to the boxing gyms in our metropolis, Louie Rusiana, a confessed fan of this column, invited me to hit the mitts at the ALA Gym where he trains.
Sure, Louie, I definitely will check out the ALA gym, but as long as you promise to take it easy on me. Thanks for the email!
It seems like the Last Round also has its share of Japanese readers. A warm welcome to Last Rounder Mr. Minoru Kagasawa whose son Fujito James is celebrating his birthday today. Domo Arigato Mr. Minoru!
GROUND AND POUND. Check out our local martial artists tonight at the New Cebu Coliseum as they exhibit their awesome skills at the Ground and Pound 3. Yaw-Yan ArDigma is presenting this event in cooperation with Ultimate Submission Fighting. Let’s get it on!
THE LAST ROUND. The last round goes out to my “inaanak” Angel Villamor who is celebrating her birthday this week. Angel is the beautiful daughter of my hardworking “kumpare” Stephen and the lovely Ana Auditor. Cheers!
