Is there room at the top for yet another Filipino fighter? Is there another Filipino fighter the boxing world doesn’t know about?
The answer is a resounding YES to both questions. I’m talking about Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, 22-1, 14 KO’s. He can definitely match Pacquiao’s Filipino superstar status as the best fighter in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions.
Allow me to bring up my Filipino flag waving visual, Filipino fighters have always dominated the flyweight and super flyweight divisions. And, although this article is about Donaire, I must make homage to Pacquiao as he did at one point early in his career fight at both the flyweight and bantamweight divisions.
Pacquiao has successfully moved up in weight without the extra pounds affecting his boxing ability. Even with a twenty pound weight gain, Manny Pacquiao has actually become a better boxer.
I should be so lucky with an extra 20 pounds!
Donaire needs to stay in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions – perhaps step into the bantamweight division. There couldn’t be a better division to fight and ensure his dominance and superstar status.
Luckily, there is no shortage of skilled, competitive, and strong boxers hovering within the flyweight and bantamweight class.
The strongest match-ups for Donaire include Vic “the Raging Bull” Darchinyan, 32-2, 26 KO’s, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko, 27-1, 22 KO’s, and even Jorge “Travieso” Arce, 52-6, 40 KO’s. For the sake of family, I’ll include Donaire’s older brother, Glenn, 17-4, 9 KO’s.
Darchinyan is a strong brawler. Among the three boxers, Darchinyan makes the flyweight division competitive and exciting. As Donaire and Darchinyan have fought each other before, Donaire won with a TKO in the 5th round. This matchup would be great in order to get the trilogy going. Nonito Donaire vs. Darchinyan II. Darchinyan also defeated Glenn Donaire with a TD in the 6th round. Let’s just keep this in the flyweight family.
The potential Nonito Donaire vs. Darchinyan II won’t happen any time soon. On December 12, 2009, Darchinyan faces Tomas Rojas for the WBC Super Flyweight and WBA World Super Flyweight titles. Donaire is also set to fight with a fighter to be determined. They should be fighting each other!
Along with Darchinyan, Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko would be a good match. In his last fight at bantamweight, Agbeko defeated Darchinyan in a 12 round unanimous division. It’s only a couple of pounds for Donaire; he can easily match up with Agbeko and defeat him. And, by default, perhaps by beating up on Agbeko, it would be like beating up on Darchinyan.
Jorge Arce rounds out the remaining competitors for Donaire. But at 30, he may not want to enter the mix with Donaire, Darchinyan, and Agbeko. In three fights this year at 115 pounds, Arce lost 2 out of 3 – against Simphiwe Nongqayi in September, Darchinyan in February, with a win against Fernando Lumacad by a knockout in the 3rd round.
Tough year for Arce. By the way, need to mention that Fernando Lumacad is Filipino. Again, Filipino flag waving here.
The flyweight division is definitely tightly knit and competitive. Donaire cannot be idle in his pursuit of good fights and his own greatness. Should he decide to move up in weight, it wouldn’t be wise for him to move up any more than pounds. It’s easier for a fighter to gain weight than lose weight. I’m thinking of Paulie “the Magic Man” Malignaggi who has been steadily moving up in weight but has been rather unsuccessfull.
In 2006, Malignaggi fought against Miguel Angel Cotto. In 2008, he fought against Ricky Hatton but lost with a TKO in the 11th round. Finally, this year, he lost to Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz in a unanimous decision. But Malignaggi actually looks like a flyweight to me.
In boxing, there are always at least 3 fighters within a weight class that if you beat the best, you are the best among your peers.
Remember the Arturo Gatti (rest in peace) vs. Micky Ward Trilogy, Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales I & II, Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera Trilogy, Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez I & II.
The best fights come from fighters within their own weight division.
Nonito Donaire can definitely dominate the flyweight and super flyweight divisions. There’s more than enough room at the top and with Donaire at the top of his weight class, he establishes his own superstar status.
Filipino flag waving, of course.
