BOB ARUM WILL NEVER REalize how far back in gladiatorial history Nonito Donaire’s grim stand had taken the manly sport of boxing last Sunday.
Reason: the premier promoter refused to recognize the deathly risk Donaire took when he agreed to fight a tremendously bigger foe.
Arum, deprived of insight, declared he was not truly impressed with Donaire’s stand.
That verdict would be equal to thumbing down a slave who had done wonders against a beast in the Coliseum during the times of Imperial Rome.
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The great thing here is that Nonito is alive.
He returned home on Tuesday to tell his tale of incredible survival.
Not too many boxing fans were willing to listen to his story, the reason for a modest airport welcome.
Well, knowing Donaire, he would’ve headed straight home to rest without going to lengths on how he managed to score a victory.
But Nonito also had to refute the claim by his beaten foe that the Filipino Flash had no warrior guts.
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It’s like this. With only slight exaggeration, that Donaire fight was a throwback to pre-Christian days when tyrannical rulers entertained their families with barbaric battles between man and beast.
Actually, with Donaire’s worth and credentials, his bout against Mexican Rafael Concepcion was initially perceived to be a budding mismatch.
It was no longer surprising though why it did not turn into a predicted punching picnic.
The hamburger steak, they had thought Se?or Rafael would be, suddenly loomed into a bristling bull.
* * *
In the official weigh-in, Donaire tipped the scales at exactly 115 pounds.
The bout could’ve been called off—with Donaire’s purse intact—after Concepcion registered 119 ? lbs.
Donaire declared the fight was on.
The discrepancy became truly dismal after Concepcion entered the ring at 134 lbs. to Donaire’s 122 on fight night.
The overweight Mexican should’ve been fitted with 10-ounce gloves to Donaire’s regular eight-ouncers as additional penalty.
The Mexican threatened to pull out.
* * *
It would be a thrill to serious students of boxing how Donaire slid off cat-like from tight corners, while sleekly directing action to mid-ring.
He also landed smashing combinations while refusing to be caught in a desperate, toe-to-toe slugout.
Anyway, upon his return, Donaire bared that Concepcion had repeatedly fouled him.
He said he was tripped at least a couple of times.
“But even if he was 20 pounds heavier, I would still fight him,” Donaire declared.
The gallant Pinoy was ready to face a whole gang.
Arum refused to listen.
But Uncle Bob couldn’t be blamed.
Without throwing a single punch, Nonito could’ve gone home safely with his purse intact.
He, however, said he did not want to let his country and people down.
