Philippines, 16 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Difficult Argentine bull not solely to blame


PhilBoxing.com




NONITO Donaire Jr. retained his twin world bantamweight boxing crowns and, in the process, added a name to winning in boxing?s rich lexicon.

If not by knockout, world crowns are won either by unanimous decision, majority decision, split decision, popular or impertinent decision, etc.

Donaire, in partnership with Omar Narvaez of Argentina, lent an unsavory extra label to victory by mere points.

Donaire, 28, won via unanimous boredom at the Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

**

?I?m deeply disappointed and I would like to apologize to the fans,? Donaire swore after the one-sided fight.

He claimed the dull, tasteless bout resulted from the vehement refusal of the hitherto unbeaten Argentine to engage and fight.

Here at home, the popular pre-fight bet was Narvaez, the eventual loser, would be lucky to survive past the sixth round.

However, by the end of the final round, it would turn out that the biggest losers were the expectant fans, if not boxing itself.

**

There was an outcry of PANIS!, the crude street clout against being served a spoiled main dish.

In truth, Donaire did appear as though he was set to hit the jackpot, give fans their money?s worth.

He connected with a patented left uppercut, followed by a stiff right-left combo to the head.

The blitz visibly wobbled Narvaez.

**

This would however be the sharpest, liveliest portion of the Donaire performance. Their idol, groaned fans out there at the Mandaluyong City wet market, was, on the whole, a no-show.

If Donaire appeared, it was only in a breeze for that cameo role in the fourth. Elsewhere the morning after, the prevailing displeasure was about being cheated, short- changed.

**

Anyway, this would not please Donaire, but it has got to be told. Yes, he was not the main party to the utter dullness, but Donaire was not exactly blameless.

He himself lent dumb ingredients to the spoiled boxing dish.

?Nasaktan kaya sobra ingat na rin (He got hurt, he himself had to box cautiously), ? explained boxing great Gerry Penalosa after completing a graceful lay-up shot during a pick-up game in Kapitana Lily de la Cruz?s much-admired covered court in Vergara, Mandaluyong the afternoon of the Donaire victory.

**

A winning knockout punch could only be as big as a boxer?s fighting heart?

It would be terribly unfair to say his guts had deserted Donaire even for moment in the entire bout.

But what did not escape the eyes of seasoned ringsiders were several punches that looped, instead of spear straight, each time Donaire would take half a step back before throwing them.

**

As reported by the Inquirer?s Marc Anthony Reyes, who did an excellent on-the-spot job, Donaire would later complain of leg cramps, obviously the reason his corner was overheard advising him to keep his distance, be doubly cautious.

Summing up street sentiments, there?s this call for Donaire, he with the matador flair inside the ring, to acquire and add deeper dimensions to his game.

Reason: this is the only way he could be fully ready to stand up to bigger, more difficult bulls in the immediate future.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • “The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026
  • Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
    , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.