Why Toshiaki Nishioka dreamed of fighting WBO, IBF and Ring jr. featherweight king Nonito Donaire, Jr. so badly remained a mystery, as the Japanese former world champion hardly put up a fight in the first half of what was expected to be an action-packed bout.
Following an all-out war between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado in a “Fight of the Year” frontrunner, the spoiled crowd didn’t take long to voice their displeasure regarding Nishioka’s reluctance to throw against Donaire as boos reverberated the packed Home Depot Center in Carson, Cali. at the end of the very first round.
Donaire tried to engage Nishioka, but remained patient, as he led with jabs, and threw calculated counter hooks, straights, and uppercuts while the Japanese opted to not let his hands go.
It wasn’t until the final minute of the 6th round when he got rocked and dropped by a Donaire left uppercut, that Nishioka started to show urgency to fight. After receiving a standing 8-count from referee Raul Caiz, Sr., Nishioka unleashed his best punches of the night in an effort to stave off Donaire who was looking to close the show.
Video: dSource recaps Donaire vs. Nishioka
Whether it was due to ring rust having not fought in a year while recovering from an injury, giving Donaire too much respect, or simply feeling the power behind one of the sport’s biggest punchers, Nishioka was not able to fully shake off his reluctance and tentativeness in the ring, which made him look far inferior from the great fighter he definitely is. Nishioka simply never got his rhythm, and even when he did try, Donaire was simply too elusive and far too skilled and savvy to allow the Japanese to gain any form of momentum.
Donaire picked off and saw everything Nishioka threw at him and came back with lighting-quick counters from different angles. Nishioka wanted to test himself against a true elite boxer like Donaire and got his answer. As illustrious a career he has had, Nishioka simply has not faced an opponent quite like Donaire, who has been the highest ranked pound-for-pound boxer south of 135 in the past half-decade.
After twisting and falling in the ninth round which was ruled a slip, Donaire used Nishioka’s newfound confidence and aggression against him as he waited against the ropes and timed him with a perfect counter right that landed straight through the pipe. Down went Nishioka like a sack of potatoes, and after momentarily being allowed by the referee to resume fighting when he got up on his feet, the fight was stopped as Donaire swooped in on the still-groggy former champion. The end came with a little over a minute left in the ninth, and Nishioka’s dream fight turning into a nightmare as his Japanese cornermen can do nothing but console him.
And now the question is: Has Donaire eclipsed Pacquiao as the best pound-for-pound Filipino boxer today??? We’ll discuss that in my next article.
