Manny Pacquiao is still the biggest and brightest boxing star in the Philippines, but Nonito Donaire is a noble understudy after routing Fernando Montiel.
Bantamweight contender Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire showed the world why he was the betting odds favorite against WBC and WBO champion Fernando Montiel Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas with a devastating second round knock out. Donaire absorbed a right hand and landed a perfect counter left hook to Montiel’s jaw that caught the Mexican champion by surprise, sending him crashing to the canvas.
Flat on his back, Montiel’s desire to get up combining with his shocked nervous system had him flailing his arms and shifting his legs as he lay on the canvas. Somehow, at the count of nine, Montiel staggered to his feet and referee Russel Mora surprisingly let him continue. Nonaire then went in for the kill, seeing that his dazed and defenseless opponent had nothing left. After another left hook followed by a right hand sent Montiel reeling on the ropes, the referee had seen enough and stepped in to save the the vanquished champion at 2:25 of the second round.
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Donaire celebrates victory over Montiel
Donaire raised his arms in celebration as he was adorned with his new belts and paraded around the ring with child-like bliss. As he said leading up to the fight, “I believe it’s time to take the throne from Montiel.” He lived up to his word and did so in thrilling fashion, dispatching one of the great flyweight and bantamweight champions of his era. Put Nonito Donaire on pound-for-pound list
With this resounding victory, Donaire rises up the ranks as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the world even though many causal boxing fans probably don’t even know who he is. His skill set, athleticism, and knockout power have turned him into an unbeatable force take away the decision loss in his second pro fight when he was 18-years-old. Against the two biggest names on his resume, Vic Darchinyan and now Montiel, he has delivered spectacular finishes.
Unfortunately, the flyweight and bantamweight divisions rarely get the spotlight and publicity they deserve and even great fighters can fly under the radar. The talent pool at 118-pounds is arguably one of the richest in the sport and if Donaire goes on to unify the titles he will then prove to any detractors that he is indeed part of an elite group of boxers. Images
HBO commentators rank Nonito Donaire on pound-for-pound, and deservedly so
HBO commentator Max Kellerman said after Donaire’s destruction of Montel that the “Filipino Flash” is right up there with the pound-for-pound best. “You have Floyd Mayweather Jr., who’s inactive, Manny Pacquiao, Sergio Martinez and Nonito Donaire. That guy’s a star.”
Roy Jones Jr., a fellow HBO commentator and former pound-for-pound king, ranked Donaire behind only his Filipino countryman, Manny Pacquiao. If Mayweather was active, Donaire would drop to three, according to Jones. Regardless of his exact ranking on this imaginary list, Donaire has the potential to follow in Pacquio’s footsteps and win titles in other divisions. For now, though, he will stay at bantamweight to capture the WBA and IBF belts, and then likely move on to bigger and better things if all goes as planned.
Donaire idolizes Manny Pacquiao, may be the Second Coming
Donaire, like the rest of the Filipinos in the world, idolizes Manny Pacquiao and during his post-fight press conference made it clear that he’s comfortable being the second best from his homeland. “I believe Pacquiao has given me this opportunity. I don’t mind being number two,” Donaire said with a smile.
With Pacquiao soon to make his swansong (whether Mayweather fights him or not), the Philippines has found their next fistic hero in Donaire, who will be revered as the Second Coming if his brilliant career continues on the path it’s on.
Family split up, father and son separate
Along with the great success, though, have come some trying personal times for Donaire. He grew up in San Leandro, California after his family left the Philippines when he was a child. His father, Nonito Donaire Sr., trained him from the age of 10 and helped turn him into a world champion. But, in 2008, Donaire Jr. split with his father, causing a deep rift between him and the rest of his family that has yet to be closed.
This split coincided with Donaire’s marriage to Rachel Marcial, a Filipina Tae Kwon Do master and model, and the replacement of promoter Gary Shaw with Bob Arum’s Top Rank. Donaire Sr. believed the estrangement with his son was due to Marcial’s influence and blames her for creating the conflict. Nonito Jr. had a different take, explaining that it was his father’s harsh military style of training and living that eventually took its toll. “Boxing became a chore,” he said. “It was never good enough for my father. Robert Garcia and the team I have now respect me and I’m very happy.” VIctor Conte and BALCO
Donaire Jr. brought in trainer Robert Garcia and also nutritionist Victor Conte. The latter addition came with great controversy as Conte was the founder of BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative) and served time in prison in 2005 for conspiracy to distribute steroids and money laundering. Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, and Shane Mosley are all athletes that have been linked to Conte and BALCO. Donaire, though, wasn’t phased by Conte’s notoriety, saying, “I got a vein, you got a needle, let’s go for it,” implying that he is not using performance enhancing drugs. A sad situation has led Donaire to train even harder
Donaire Jr., allegedly reached out to his father last year when one of his fighters, Ciso Morales, fought on the same card in Las Vegas. He was hoping his father would watch him fight, but Donaire Sr. ended up leaving before his son entered the ring, saying later that he needed to tend to his own fighter who had been knocked out earlier by Montiel, ironically.
Nonito Jr. has said that since the rift he believes that his father and family pray for him to lose and are waiting for him to fall on his face. Donaire Sr. rebuffed the allegation. “I don’t want him to lose. I trained him since he was 10. I sacrificed for him to become what he is, a world champion.” Regardless of the facts surrounding the separation, it’s evident that the “Filipino Flash” has used his perception that his family is rooting against him as extra motivation to train harder and showcase his boxing skills
Manny Pacquiao is a super star, but the Philippines has a new boxing star
The people of the Phillipines and countrymen around the world are still thanking God for delivering them their prodigal son in Manny Pacquiao and allowing them to basque in his glory that has transcended him from boxing champion to global icon. Pacquiao, though, will soon be putting away the gloves for good. His star will remain bright and unforgettable but will move outside the galaxy of boxing and into the greater abyss of the world. A new star, though, will continue to expand and brighten inside the sport’s Milky Way. Nonito Donaire, at 28-years-old, has become his own man and is now poised to make his own legend.
