The way Nonito Donaire enjoyed his victory against Fernando Montiel was symbolic. For Donaire, it has always been more of jubilation than celebration, but this time around, he wasn’t merely jumping for joy.
You know those big, muscular shoulders that carry the hopes and dreams of an entire nation? With a
face that can represent the spirit of race in a body that exemplifies each and every component of it? It belongs to the now-legendary, larger-than-life figure which is Manny Pacquiao, standing small but tall.
Well, Donaire is behind that, fighting and excelling under his shadows, like many Filipino boxers looking up to their hero.
Imagine him shadow-boxing (pun intended) there, if you will.
Then continue the mental picture by simulating the shadow-boxing Donaire, displaying his marvelous skills that made many a boxing expert believing and head-scratching that he is one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, in a ring with an opponent. Make that opponent somebody legitimate. Make him Fernando Montiel, the bantamweight titlist from Mexico.
Replay the fight, or just its highlights. Remember how Donaire’s fast and powerful punches solidly landed on Montiel’s head, chin, and body, and how, with every precision punch, he is breaking his opponent down. With every clean hit, you know the champion (Montiel) is going to fold soon. The fire from the star from Mexico is extinguished by the cool confidence that the Filipino flaunted.
So it happened. On the second round, with an impactful left hook to the side of the head. The world-class fighter who was Montiel fell in a heap, quivering spasmodically from the sting of Donaire’s one-punch assault. You knew it was over even as Montiel showed the heart of a champion by refusing to follow his shaken head’s instruction for him to give up as he struggled to his feet. Meanwhile, Donaire is off his feet, up in the air, bouncing and flailing.
Jumping for joy. Jumping out of Pacquiao’s shadows.
