IT WAS a pretty insightful weekend?one that palpably revealed a lot about the heirs-apparent to Manny Pacquiao?s soon-to-be-vacated throne.
As expected, Nonito Donaire Jr. came out the victor in a fight that saw him make it unnecessarily difficult for himself but at the same time demonstrated to the full extent his versatility.
Unfortunately?as many expected too?Bernabe Concepcion fell prey to a far more superior fighter, but not before leaving something to remember him by.
And unfortunately also, Brian Viloria only managed a split decision victory against an opponent he was supposed to beat soundly if we dare to juxtapose his name with Manny Pacquiao?s.
DONAIRE. Before the fight, Donaire revealed that he would be embarking on an experiment. In the first round, we realized that he would be fighting as a southpaw.
Whether he planned to fight that way for the full course of the fight or not, we will never know because midway, he switched back to orthodox and just in the nick of time, too.
Donaire did well fighting as a southpaw and landed some stinging jabs and telling hooks. During previous fights he has been known to switch stances, and so this was not unfamiliar territory for him.
However, as a southpaw his defense looked pretty shoddy and the shorter, more compact Marquez landed his fair share of blows.
Were it not for Donaire?s speed and reach advantage, the rounds would have been a lot closer.
But because Donaire employs a cerebral approach to the fight game, he switched back to orthodox and just like that, he started doing some serious damage.
Sneaky uppercuts and wicked hooks flummoxed Marquez who was quite obviously unable to figure out the masterful moves displayed by the vastly superior Donaire.
He did manage to keep things honest by landing occasional right hooks and lead lefts and the welts on Donaire?s face post-fight were damning proof of Marquez?s tenacity and proficiency–though the outcome was never in question.
Another sneaky uppercut caught Marquez unaware and he flopped to the canvas. The ref had seen enough and Marquez was indignant about the stoppage, but it was correct and timely.
CONCEPCION. In a wild and wooly affair, Bernabe Concepcion looked overmatched against Puerto Rican superstar Juan Manuel Lopez.
It brought back memories of Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista?s performance against another southpaw champion in Daniel Ponce de Leon during the World Cup of Boxing when Lopez staggered Concepcion just a minute into the fight.
Lopez looked bent on trying to end the fight early, but even the best make mistakes.
Perhaps too giddy about scoring the emphatic knockout before his adoring home crowd, he left his right hand low as he was teeing off on Bernabe whose back was against the ropes.
The desperate challenger lashed out with a left hook from hell that landed smack on the right side of the champion?s jaw and down he fell. He was up quickly, but he was noticeably shaken.
When the bell rang to end the round, I honestly couldn?t tell which fighter was in deeper s***.
Round of the year material, if you ask me.
In my previous column, I pointed out that the key factor for Abe would be effective aggression and the soundness of this strategy was all too apparent by the fact that he was able to catch Lopez in an unguarded moment and land that left hook.
But Abe, the marvelous infuriating brawler that he is, would have none of that.
(To be concluded on Sunday)
LAST ROUND. It?s on my second-year high school teacher/adviser Mrs. Virginia Visitacion, who has retained her infectious charm all these years. Cheers!
