Philippines, 15 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


THE LITTLE COBRA IS TOO SMALL FOR THE FILIPINO FLASH


PhilBoxing.com


When Raul "La Cobrita" Martinez came marching into the cavernous Araneta Coliseum, I thought Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. was in for a tough fight. Martinez looked tough. His left arm was wrapped in tattoos and his muscles were bulging. He looks menacing.

The Mexican also has the face of a fighter. He actually looks like a bantam version of Vin Diesel. And like Vin Diesel, Martinez is also bald. He came in with solid credentials and was undefeated in 24 fights. His fight monicker "La Cobrita" or "Little Cobra" seems frightening that describes his fighting style, that of a cobra lurking in the dark. Martinez is a kind of sneaky little devil, if I may say. He lulls his opponents making them think he is weak. Then suddenly, he springs out with lethal left and right combinations and his opponents end up in dreamland not knowing what hit them.

But Sunday morning, April 19, in Manila, it was "La Cobrita" who got the surprise of his life. Donaire, slim and sort of lanky Filipino suddenly unleashed a stinging right to Martinez face, hitting him right on the nose, and the Cobrita coiled-up, his knees buckled and he fell flat on his back, right in the first round. But like the "Cobrita" that he is, Martinez was quickly back on his feet and was back fighting for dear life.

Donaire is the exact opposite. He looks like a college boy out for a degree in maybe accounting or engineering or perhaps law. He doesn't look like a fighter at all. Yes, he has muscles but they do not bulge out. Without his gloves, he doesn't look like a boxer at all. But beneath that exterior is a relentless executioner. And it shows in his eyes - they stare straight into you. No, he stares through you. His are eyes that focus on destroying what lies on his way to greatness. Yes, this guy from Bohol is out to prove that his championship belts are not fluke. That he is destined for greatness. And that his boxing career will not be a flash in the pan, but a flash for all time.

And so in defending his titles, the IBF/IBO Flyweight championship belts, Donaire made sure that the world knew his time has already come. He was precise and calculating. He measured his opponent's every move, blocking La Cobrita's path, jabbing before his opponent could come in and unleashing his right when La Cobrita exposed his head and more often than not, he connected.

Martinez, went down one more time in the second round. The poor Mexican did not know where to go. A lethal left hook awaited him if he turned to his right; Donaire's thunderous right waited in ambush should La Cobrita go to his left. But true to the cobra's spirit, Martinez came springing up after every knockdown. He still wanted to fight.

But the partisan crowd is unforgiving. "Ang cobra naging bulate" (The cobra became an earthworm) was what i heard from behind me. It was a group of Cebuano's watching and they, obviously, were rooting for their Boholano kin.

In the end, they were right. A solid right to the head hurled the Mexican to the canvas and the referee, sensing carnage, stopped the fight without even bothering to count. To him, the Cobrita has had enough punishment. He was a game fighter but his fight was not enough. Donaire retained his world flyweight championship titles in style before a boisterous and proud Filipino crowd. The Little Cobra is obviously not big enough to dim the Filipino Flash who is on his way to greatness, possibly, the next Manny Pacquiao in the making. Another Filipino world champion the Philippines is so proud of.

In the co-main event of "The Fast and the Furius," another Filipino-American former WBC champion Brian "Hawiian Punch" Viloria sweetened the Filipino celebration by knocking-out the defending IBF Light Flyweight champion Ulises "Filipino Assasin" Solis in the 11th round.

The Fast and the Furius is promoted by Solar Sports, a Filipino owned sports channel owned by Solar Entertainment Corporation and Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions of Las Vegas, Nevada.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ric Pinca.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 13 OCTOBER 2025: Ennis Wipes Out Lima; Vianello Defeats Barriere; Makhmudov Outpoits Allen
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Omar Juarez Set for Homecoming Clash Against Omar Rosario on October 18 i
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • BLAZEN ROCILI, THE 6’3” FILIPINO GIANT, SCORES DOMINANT 2ND-ROUND TKO OVER ORLANDO SALGADO IN AURORA, COLORADO
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • YORK HALL FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE CONFIRMED AS KIERON CONWAY VOWS TO TEACH 'OVER CONFIDENT' RIVAL GEORGE LIDDARD A LESSON
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Pedro Veitia Set to Face Fellow Unbeaten Xavier Ceron on October 18 in Texas, Live on DAZN
    , Tue, 14 Oct 2025
  • Jesse Espinas Victorious, New IBF Asia Champion
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Naseem Hamed Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Kiddie Chess Tournament Goes to Farmers Plaza
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao vs. Rolly Romero in January 2026? Boxing Legend Eyes One More Run at Glory
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • 11 martial arts in BP 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • NM Medina beats Slovak GM, draws with FM Castellano to win the 8th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 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.