There was a time when the only discussion regarding ?Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire was whether he was more pint-sized Roy Jones or mini Tommy Hearns. Making it as far as no. 4 on Ring Magazine?s pound-for-pound rankings, Donaire was the toast of the sport and the absolute darling of the star-starved boxing media.
Now, just three years after his one-sided loss to Cuban virtuoso Guillermo Rigondeaux, everyone (including the fans) has jumped off the Donaire bandwagon.
A TKO loss at featherweight to Nicholas Walters in 2014 cemented Nonito?s status as persona non grata among boxing hipsters and turned him, in a matter of less than eighteen months, from Fighter of the Year to forgotten dumpster fodder.
From main event HBO showcases to undercard filler on Pinoy Pride pay-per-view shows, no fighter has dropped down the food chain so far, so quickly. And, although he?s 4-0 since the Walters loss and has picked up a WBO world title trinket in his old 122 lb. stomping grounds along the way, there?s still no sign of the love returning for the once-beloved Filipino-American.
One can understand the business behind ditching Donaire. He had two high-profile losses in back-to-back years– and they were ugly losses. Someone with big money invested into him and into the promotion of his career would be wise to pull back a bit. But what about the fans and the media who couldn?t sing his praises any louder in the good times?
Nonito is still the same basic fighter that he was three, four years ago and he?s still the same human being. But now he pretty much walks alone.
Boxing is a fickle business all around. Fans come and go with wins and losses and I guess it?s their right to support or not support whoever they want for whatever reason. But one comes to expect more from tight-knit fan communities like that of the Filipino fan base.
Fighters like Pacquiao and Donaire are more than just fighters, more than just products made for consumption then disposal. This is the same fanbase that still adores and reveres Flash Elorde as if he were still fighting today.
Where?s the support for Nonito Donaire now that he could really use a pat on the back and a bit of the adulation that spurred him on to victory before he hit this rough patch?
Loyalty is a virtue and it just may lead to the sweetest of rewards should Donaire turn things around and give the fans another stretch of awesome, entertaining performances.
