SOME punches are destined to be indelibly stamped in the history books from the second they are launched; bombs thrown with such outrageous precision that the swift explosion casts a lasting spell on the boxing world. Will the sight of Fernando Montiel writhing on the canvas ever be forgotten? It shouldn?t, however morbid the fascination of such violence becomes.
The Mexican, an exceptional fighter, cantankerously threw out a right hand and Nonito Donaire, with exuberance and determination combining to concoct boxing brilliance, crashed in a left hook laced with debilitating effects. Montiel slammed to the deck, his eyes bulging with confused horror while his legs robotically convulsed as if they had been tasered.
Nothing announces the arrival of a superstar like a sensational knockout. Saturday night was Donaire?s moment of delivery. It is still too early to compare the Filipino?s career with that of decorated countryman Manny Pacquiao, but the manner of victory can certainly allow us to draw some parallels.
Admittedly, Manny had already achieved a great deal ? far more than Nonito pre-Montiel ? before he ruined Ricky Hatton, but it?s easy to forget that question marks still remained about Pacquiao?s audacious flight through the weights at that point. Some thought Hatton would be too big for Manny. Most presumed that he?d be competitive. As Ricky lay motionless after a torrid shellacking in 2009, sensations that we had witnessed the arrival of a legend were as intoxicating as the shock of seeing Hatton unconscious.
It was a similar feeling when Donaire smashed that shuddering shot into Montiel. There is a lot more for Nonito to achieve before he can claim ?legendary? status but he has certainly constructed an eye-catching platform with which to make his case.
He spoke afterwards of going up to featherweight and with the likes of Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa lurking up there, the future is deliciously enticing. Whoever emerges from the bantamweight tournament would be another exciting foe.
It all seems so simple on the surface of course. The politics of boxing ruin our glorious sport; promotional disputes, title-dilution and ridiculous governing body demands put a strain on the fighters who, for the most part, just want to prove they?re the best.
Let?s hope that Nonito gets the chance to do that. At just 28 years old, he has the time and the ability to prove his worth. The next few fights are crucial for Donaire ? too much of his career has been spent fighting average opponents ? the win over Montiel should permanently propel him to the elite level, rather than merely acting as his stand-out performance.
Donaire controlled Montiel with such ease, the boxing world needs to know what else he can do and how far he can go. With Manny Pacquiao seemingly winding down a glorious career, Donaire owes it to himself to make sure he?s in a position to take over when his hero waves goodbye.
It is too easy for fighters to cruise through careers without engaging in defining fights. The key for Donaire now is to search for fights that will allow him to cement his spot in history, rather than just opponents that will afford him the opportunity to decorate it with more colourful finishes.
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