Philippines, 03 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


A REMATCH IS JUST RIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




IT MAY not be the proper thing to do but, under the sketchy situation, the referee called it right when he allowed the fight to continue after Nonito Donaire suffered a gaping wound under the left eyebrow during the first round of his challenge for the world featherweight boxing championship in Macau on Saturday.

There was a spooky development that resulted in the head wound which later took 11 stitches to close after Donaire had been declared winner and world champion again.

It?s too late now but a slow-mo dissection of the physical clash shortly before the end of the first round should be able to show that the wound, with its nasty slit and sad slant, was not caused by a legit punch.

**

Donaire, who had previously won titles in four separate world divisions, made a daunting display of grit and guts never before seen in his storied career.

The degree of difficulty alone, not necessarily a prime factor in a title bout, justifies the decision of the referee to let the fight proceed although Donaire could hardly see with his left eye.

The referee, however, had to dutifully get it from Donaire that he was ready and willing to go.

**

It?s quite odd but, long after the combatants had packed up and left for home, there continued a debate over the exact cause of the blinding wound over Donaire?s left eye.

Of course, there was the prevailing opinion that the wound opened following a foul contact, if not thru a slicing nudge of the bony brow during a clinch, maybe a slash of the opponent?s sharp wrist band.

It was also noted that, although it never merited a warning from the ring official, Donaire had to disengage at least a couple of times complaining of headbutts.

**

What has amazed ringside experts was the phantom manner these damaging contacts had been made.

Did the South African champion spend extra time in a mumbo jumbo fight school to perfect the menacing moves?

Donaire would later explain he had to fight on sheer instinct, after he got rocked groggy by a headbutt at the end of the first round, until the fourth round when he floored his foe with a right-left combination.

**

On the whole, Donaire showed class and clear superiority over his taller African foe.

Donaire never complained but instead expressed regret that he was not able to finish what he came to deliver.

He humbly asked for a rematch.

There will be a rematch, and thanks mainly to the referee who, like Donaire, also worked on sheer instinct at the height of indecision.

Imagine if the bout had been stopped after Donaire got that severe wound.

Maybe it would be right to also bring in the referee back?


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER TIMOTHY BRADLEY JR. TO RETURN TO CANASTOTA FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Paras stops Abcede in 2nd round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Welterweight Ruben Aguilar Stops Luis Lopez in Eight Brutal Rounds in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at University of Texas in Arlington
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Patricio, Brownlee and Awinongya Enter Medal Rounds on Day Five of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • IM Arca finishes in eight place in Pacquiao chess; NM Ilar pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • DC Half Marathon on March 8 at Freedom Park
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Athletics Festival Season 4 on March 21-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 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.