It?s a shame they never crossed paths.
When the history of the Flyweight division in the 2000?s is written, two names will top the list. Nonito Donaire appeared the most talented to pass through the 112 lb. domain. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam was, and remains, the division?s pillar of championship consistency and excellence.
The WBC/WBO bantamweight titlist Donaire (27-1, 18 KO) is long gone from 112, likely soon to debut at 122 lbs. and a shot at a third divisional crown (sorry, interim belts at 115 don?t count). Wonjongkam (83-3-1, 45 KO) probably won?t be going anywhere and, if the boxing gods are fair, the rest of the world will get a look at this masterful performer before its too late.
Donaire and Wonjongkam were the highlights of the boxing week, doing what they almost always do: win going away.
Let?s got to the report cards.
Grades Pre-Fight: Speed ? Donaire A; Narvaez B+; Post: Same Pre-Fight: Power ? Donaire A; Narvaez B/Post: Same Pre-Fight: Defense ? Donaire B+; Narvaez A/Post: Same Pre-Fight: Intangibles ? Donaire A; Narvaez A/Post: B+; C+
Pre-Fight: Speed ? Wonjongkam B; Sosa B-/Post: B+; B- Pre-Fight: Power ? Wonjongkam B; Sosa B/Post: Same Pre-Fight: Defense ? Wonjongkam B+; Sosa C+/Post: A-; C+ Pre-Fight: Intangibles ? Wonjongkam A; Sosa A/Post: Same
Beginning with the (relatively) larger men, Donaire ran into something top fighters do on occasion, something he ran into previously with Rafael Concepcion. Sometimes, winning is the best that will be said of a given night. Style points won?t be coming. In the pre-fight report card, Narvaez?s excellence on defense was cited as where his hopes for victory could be found.
For the first seven rounds or so, Narvaez was at least reasonably in the fight because of his defense and the ability to land clean shots. Donaire was struggling, Narvaez picking off shots, slipping others, and rarely giving Donaire more than the right to the body. A switch-hitting southpaw, Donaire was orthodox most of the night versus Narvaez, in form and approach.
Donaire may have been winning, but it wasn?t easy and there were rounds where Narvaez had a case. Those died down the stretch. Narvaez didn?t fight like he thought he could win and so stopped fighting almost altogether.
It was a rational decision. Donaire had rocked him the couple times he could catch the slick Argentine. Rationality is not always the path to glory. A WBO titlist one class below, Narvaez heads back down to 115 lbs. with no buzz and no interest generated for fights in his division. Donaire is almost certain to rise to 122 lbs., a division inferior to the bantamweight class he is in now with one exception: WBC titlist Toshiaki Nishioka.
Donaire-Nishioka would be a gem and the victor is not clear on paper. That?s what all good fights should be able to say. Contrast that with the other idea floating around: Donaire-Jorge Arce in the same class.
Is there a fight where the verdict could be more foregone?
