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Philippines, 19 Jul 2025 |
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JAPAN HOLDS KEY TO FLYWEIGHT'S RISE By Dennis Principe PhilBoxing.com Thu, 02 Aug 2007  THE flyweight class has been the bailiwick of great Asian fighters the last two decades but alas, it has yet to make its mark as a division that can produce marquee match-ups amongst its resident warriors. Past and present, a handful of superstars between the bantamweight and lightweight divisions either ruled or polished their skills in the flyweight kingdom, with one-time champion Manny Pacquiao being perhaps the most prominent product. The last few weeks, we saw another batch of flyweight rulers exhibit exciting potentials to pick up the slack when old hands Erik Morales, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, Jr., and Oscar Dela Hoya hit the sack. One of them is International Boxing Federation (IBF) ruler Nonito Donaire, Jr. The 24-year-old Donaire, apart from blasting into smithereens loudmouth Vic Darchinyan with a ruthless left hook three Saturdays ago, has probably spelled out the words that could bring about collective fame to their division. The General Santos City native Donaire, now based in San Leandro, California, wants no other fight but against anyone between the two other world champions of their territory. For his next outing Donaire, is salivating at a possible unification battle against either World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Daisuke Naito or World Boxing Association (WBA) holder Takefumi Sakata, both from Japan. The world has yet to see a unified champion in the diminutive but explosive 112-lb zone. The lightweight, welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions established respect and box-office appeal in the past when champions engage in a battle royale to determine a single, unified kingpin. For Donaire to declare his readiness to battle the Japanese duo into a showdown means he too is ready to stake his own IBF jewel in a rare flyweight unification showdown. Japanese promoters, led by the unfathomable Akihiko Honda, are known to be unstinting in offering princely fight purses just for other champions and worthy challengers to swing by their empire and fight their best homegrown talents. But fighting within their terrain has been ineffective for even first-rate Japanese fighters in terms of showcasing to all and sundry the brave stuff they are made of. Honda et al should also be generous to the world by bringing their champions to other parts of the planet, particularly in the United States, for all to know that Asian boxing is world class. 
World champions Nonito Donaire, Jr. (R) and Florante Condes pose for a souvenir photo during their reception at the Malaca?ang Palace on Tuesday. Photo by Dennis Principe. Whether a bout will happen in or outside of Japan, a unification clash among three champions is imperative for the flyweight division to finally cast off its fly-by-night status. Donaire feels it’s his calling to unify. Now it’s Japan’s call. Note : world lightflyweight title challenger Rodel Mayol will be our guest for Thursday’s edition of Sports Chat (8:15-9AM Manila Time) heard live worldwide thru www.pbs.gov.ph where all you need is to click the Sports Radio icon. The program is also heard live over DZSR Sports Radio 918 kHz on your AM radio dial. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis Principe.  |
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