Philippines, 17 Aug 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Can Donaire restore the Pacquiao monument?


PhilBoxing.com




HIS latest stoppage, brilliant and crisp, had more than enough solid elements of a gross mismatch.

But after the carnage in Houston over the weekend, Nonito Donaire Jr., in a flash, was left with tougher roles to fill.

He also has as many aches to assuage.

The bout, a budding mismatch from Day 1, looked gory enough it was next branded hysterically as a vindication of the shock and shame delivered by Manny Pacquiao?s monumental fall and filthy foldup in Las Vegas a week earlier.

* * *

It?s a Christmas gift from Bob Arum, this reporter remembers informing international boxing correspondent Anthony Andales the moment the bout was announced.

What do you mean?

It will be a lollipop.

Explain, please.

Arce, who loves to go around with that balled candy in his mouth, will be left out there for the lusty licking.

* * *

It?s like this. It would?ve been a little sweeter, a sort of Christmas prizefight package, if the Mexican firebrand had been allowed to spit out some patented venom in the opening rounds.

Donaire was not exactly in a hurry, neither was he being impatient.

But the respected Jimmy Tobin, in a post for Cruelest Sport, scored perfectly in saying that, this time, Donaire did not even bother to first size up his foe.

If the sensational stoppage had indeed catapulted Donaire as Fighter of the Year, the bout should also go down as the most forgettable of the period.

* * *

As expected, they next had to wonder why Arum was in a frantic haste to put Donaire up the world pound-for-pound ladder.

Was the tasteless stoppage, against an ?aging, undersized but still adored warrior? strong enough to push Donaire onward as pay-per-view attraction?

To tell the truth, the Donaire victory, his fourth this year and second straight by knockout, has also led plain fans and self-styled experts to ask if, say, Donaire could step up to the Manny Pacquiao legend.

* * *

?Will he finally move up from 122 pounds to a full featherweight?

He said he?s at home as super bantam, but it?s in their program to move up to featherweight proper next year.

?Can he approximate the achievements of Pacquiao, like winning world crowns in eight separate weight divisions?

That?s quite doubtful. The Pacman is a golden act that may never be duplicated in this lifetime.

?You mean Donaire is just another ordinary fighter?

No, Nonito is a wonder worker, easily more crafty and skillful than Pacquiao. He?s indeed a gem, but he?s only human.

?What do you mean?

Pacquiao was a storm, a magical warrior, a human ball of fire, a national treasure.

* * *

?Was it not right to say Donaire, with his victory, has vindicated the Philippines after that shocking Pacquiao loss to Juan Manuel Marquez on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas?

Everybody has reason to feel delighted, to be relieved, this should add to the Christmas cheer hereabouts.

?You mean Donaire was unable to avenge the Pacquiao defeat?

Avenge is definitely not the right term.

?What?s wrong?

You must realize it?s only Pacquiao who could properly avenge that shocking defeat. He must score a monumental win in order to restore his stature.

?What do you mean?

Pacquiao is a living monument. When Marquez stopped him, the feat was equal to uprooting our national monument and transporting it over to Mexico. Only Pacquiao, or anybody of his mythical greatness, should be able to win back the uprooted treasure. Nobody and nothing less.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Moses Itauma's Sensational TKO of Dillian Whyte Signals a New Era in Heavyweight Boxing
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 17 Aug 2025
  • Young woodpushers in Capiz want exposure and surprise
    , Sun, 17 Aug 2025
  • Llover, Concepción Ready to Rumble Sunday, August 17, in Manila
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • Weights from Manila: Llover - 117.8 lbs., Concepcion - 117 lbs.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • Itauma vs Whyte: Can Whyte Weather The Storm?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • IIEE Zambasulta captures last seats in the IIEE Golden Chess and other sports
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • “Oceanside Prize Fights” WEIGHTS from Revere, MA
    , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover and Luis “Nica” Concepcion Face Off, Ready for Exciting Action Sunday at Winford Resort Manila
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • 'BATA' REYES YALIN 10-BALL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD IN MANDALUYONG
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 16 Aug 2025
  • KENNETH LLOVER AND LUIS CONCEPCION PROMISE FIREWORKS AS THEY GO FACE TO FACE FOR THE FIRST TIME
    , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • Khan, De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha, Dologuin, Dawrani in Action in Brico Santig’s Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • Capiz's veteran woodpushers join the Touchmove rapid chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • Oleksandr Usyk perfect model for Boxing phenom Marco Romero
    , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Set to Make Ring Return September 6 at “Thunder Showdown III”
    , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • ‘PLATINUM’ MIKE PERRY VS. JEREMY STEPHENS HEADLINES GROUND BREAKING BKFC EVENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
    , Fri, 15 Aug 2025
  • Traya now in Thailand for 'Battle of Bangkok' on Aug. 30
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Nine National Masters join the Touchmove event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair (Part II)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Don King Productions Announces October 4th Showdown Featuring No. 1 WBA Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Facing World Champion Kubrat Pulev
    , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Jayson Vayson Ready to Battle Oscar Collazo for WBO/WBA World Titles (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • Arab American boxing pride to be on display August 31st in Detroit
    , Thu, 14 Aug 2025
  • What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Requinto to fight against an Indian in Davao on Aug. 31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • NU's Yana Emilou De Vera dominates U1700 Asian Amateur Chess Championships in Hongkong
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 13 Aug 2025
  • Llover takes on former world champ this Sunday
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 13 Aug 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.