Tokyo-based writer Masatoshi Ueda told The STAR in an overseas phone call that a press conference was arranged for Nishioka to face the visiting Japanese media after the loss to Donaire. When asked if he would retire, Nishioka snapped at the reporter and curtly said it wasn?t the time to make a decision or announcement one way or the other. But Honda, who sat beside Nishioka in the conference, said retirement was imminent.
There was concern that Nishioka would be stripped of his Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) license for defying policy in fighting Donaire for the WBO 122-pound crown. The JBC does not recognize either the WBO or IBF. But apparently, the JBC softened its position when the WBC sanctioned the fight for its vacant Diamond belt. Donaire would?ve defended both his WBO and IBF titles until his manager Cameron Dunkin decided to relinquish the IBF throne not only to save on the $40,000 sanction fee but also to protest the order to fight the winner of the Oct. 27 eliminator between South Africa?s Takalani Ndlovu and Mexico?s Alejandro Lopez by the end of the year.
Ueda said the JBC decided not to strip Nishioka of his license, adding that the governing body may finally recognize the WBO and IBF before the year ends. Only last May, the JBC retired Nobuhiro Ishida?s license before the Japanese fighter took on Dmitry Pirog for the WBO middleweight crown in Moscow.
If Nishioka decides to continue fighting, it will only be to salvage lost pride. Against Donaire, the Japanese fought defensively, wary of being walloped by the Filipino Flash?s vaunted left hook. Nishioka gambled on a fight plan anchored on landing just one big shot to score a knockout. Donaire proved too smart to oblige although in the ninth round, he took a risk in inviting Nishioka to charge in for the chance to counter with the right hand. Donaire?s gambit worked. As Nishioka pinned Donaire against the ropes, he left himself open for a counter right straight. Donaire seized the moment and decked Nishioka who managed to beat the 10-count on rubbery legs. Referee Raul Caiz, Sr. stepped in to halt the carnage as Nishioka?s corner waved the white flag.
It was a bitter loss for Nishioka who had never lost to a Filipino in eight previous encounters. It was also Nishioka?s first defeat by knockout since 1995. Nishioka reigned as WBC superbantamweight titleholder from 2009 until he gave up the crown after defending it against Mexico?s Rafael Marquez last October.
There was never a question of Nishioka?s heart. The Donaire fight was his sixth out of Japan, indicating Nishioka isn?t averse to fighting on hostile soil unlike most other Japanese champions. In 2002, he went to Las Vegas to take out Evangelio Perez in one round. Three years later, Nishioka travelled to Marseille to blast local Algerian favorite Mustapha Abahrouhi in two. Then it was back to Las Vegas to stop Jose Alonso in four. In 2009, Nishioka came off the canvas in the first round to halt Jhonny Gonzalez in the third of a barnburner in Monterrey. Last year, Nishioka returned to Las Vegas to outpoint Marquez. But Nishioka had never fought anyone in Donaire?s class.
When Nishioka gave up the WBC title because he didn?t want to be dictated on as to whom and when to fight next, the Mexico-based body created a new ?status? for the fighter to appease the lucrative Japanese market. The WBC labelled Nishioka the superbantamweight ?emeritus? champion, whatever that means. No fighter in active status had ever been recognized as an ?emeritus? champion.
As for Donaire, it appears that Top Rank chairman Bob Arum is pushing for a Jorge Arce encounter in Mexico City on Dec. 15 but that will depend on how quickly the Filipino?s wounded left hand heals and how reasonable the challenger will be in demanding his purse. Arce would?ve been Donaire?s opponent, not Nishioka, but the Mexican priced himself out of the negotiations by demanding at least a $1 Million paycheck. Donaire was guaranteed $800,000 so it wouldn?t have been reasonable to pay his challenger more.
