Following Pacman?
Bleacher Talk
March 7, 2010
Following Pacman?
While there is no doubt that Manny Pacquiao is the only show in town for Philippine boxing, boxing fans are eager to find out who among the country’s world-beaters could be an heir apparent to the Pacman. And if we are to look at the month that just passed, I’m not sure if there were any clear indications of a good find.
Nonito Donaire did a great job of dismantling Manuel Vargas, but while I don’t want to take anything away from Donaire, we all know that this wasn’t a legitimate fight that could elevate Donaire to a higher level. Vargas was a last-minute replacement for original opponent Gerson Guerrero who failed the pre-fight medical exam. Note that Vargas was the same fighter who lost to Donnie Nietes for the WBO minimumweight championship. Vargas fought Nietes at 105 pounds, then suddenly “went up” to 115 pounds on a three-day notice. Moreover, Vargas flunked a post-fight drug test, an indication that he may not have been fit to fight, let alone against a current world champion. Don’t get me wrong. Donaire is definitely P4P material and is in fact recognized by Ring Magazine as # 6 on their P4P list. But if his career is going to be highlighted with fights against inferior boxers, he’ll end up being a “C” level world champ. The irony of it all is that Vic Darchinyan, the boxer who gave Donaire his moment of glory, is busier fighting top-quality fights (and losing once along the way) and getting more recognition. It’s time for the Filipino Flash to step it up.
If there was a tag as the most controversial Pinoy world champion today, it would have to belong to WBC light flyweight champion Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol. We can’t help but feel sorry for Mayol as his past four championship fights have ended in either controversy or doubt (or both). His latest fight where he was “knocked out” cold by Omar Niño Romero’s cheap shot is just the latest of a comedy of errors (fights) that have never ended in the traditional way. Headbutts were the highlights of his world title fights against Calderon (twice) and Edgar Sosa from whom he took the world championship. All these fights can’t be branded as “clean” fights, and all were for world title fights. My wish for Mayol is that he finally gets to defend his crown and wins in a “normal” way. When headbutts and low blows become the topic of each of his fights, he’ll never earn the respect of the boxing fans.
Marvin Sonsona, like the Pacman and Donaire, is from Gen San, but the sad part is that his work ethic is nowhere near those of his more illustrious kababayans. After winning the WBO super flyweight title from Jose “Carita” Lopez last September (only six months ago), everything has been downhill. He lost his title on the weighing scale in his first title defense and lost in his attempt to win a second world championship two divisions higher at 122 pounds. Word is going around that despite having Nonito Donaire Sr. as his trainer, Sonsona’s off the ring activities and work ethic have been questionable. And more questions remain unanswered. Why was he rushed to fight in another world title fight so soon? Was he fed to become a ready loser to Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.? Was he truly prepared for a second world title fight at only 19 years old? A lot of soul searching and starting all over again will have to be the theme of Team Sonsona this year. Maybe this could be the humbling experience that he’ll need to finally wake up. If it’s any consolation, Pacquiao lost his world flyweight title when he could no longer make the weight, and we all know his place in boxing history today. Sonsona can duplicate this feat, but that goes with a very big and loaded “IF.”
“Ciso Morales fighting for a world championship? Against Montiel? Are you sure? Not a chance!” This was my reaction when I heard that Morales would replace Z Gorres as Fernando Montiel’s opponent. So when the fight ended so quickly, nobody was surprised. I’m guilty of not having spoken out about the glaring mismatch even if it was common talk among boxing writers and friends. But neither did we expect it to end so soon. This was a simple case of finding a Pinoy opponent who would be fed to the lair of Montiel, and make him look good. Montiel is now signed up to meet WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa in a unification title fight. I hope he doesn’t forget to say thanks to Morales for the upcoming big payday.
The performances of Donaire, Mayol, Sonsona and Morales were clearly not good indicators for the country’s search for Pacquiao’s second in line. For Donaire, it’s a case of the need to step up to face top-notch foes. For Mayol, no more controversies please. And for Sonsona and Morales, it’s back to square one.
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Wilson “Siknoy” Yu. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
March 7, 2010
Following Pacman?
While there is no doubt that Manny Pacquiao is the only show in town for Philippine boxing, boxing fans are eager to find out who among the country’s world-beaters could be an heir apparent to the Pacman. And if we are to look at the month that just passed, I’m not sure if there were any clear indications of a good find.
Nonito Donaire did a great job of dismantling Manuel Vargas, but while I don’t want to take anything away from Donaire, we all know that this wasn’t a legitimate fight that could elevate Donaire to a higher level. Vargas was a last-minute replacement for original opponent Gerson Guerrero who failed the pre-fight medical exam. Note that Vargas was the same fighter who lost to Donnie Nietes for the WBO minimumweight championship. Vargas fought Nietes at 105 pounds, then suddenly “went up” to 115 pounds on a three-day notice. Moreover, Vargas flunked a post-fight drug test, an indication that he may not have been fit to fight, let alone against a current world champion. Don’t get me wrong. Donaire is definitely P4P material and is in fact recognized by Ring Magazine as # 6 on their P4P list. But if his career is going to be highlighted with fights against inferior boxers, he’ll end up being a “C” level world champ. The irony of it all is that Vic Darchinyan, the boxer who gave Donaire his moment of glory, is busier fighting top-quality fights (and losing once along the way) and getting more recognition. It’s time for the Filipino Flash to step it up.
If there was a tag as the most controversial Pinoy world champion today, it would have to belong to WBC light flyweight champion Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol. We can’t help but feel sorry for Mayol as his past four championship fights have ended in either controversy or doubt (or both). His latest fight where he was “knocked out” cold by Omar Niño Romero’s cheap shot is just the latest of a comedy of errors (fights) that have never ended in the traditional way. Headbutts were the highlights of his world title fights against Calderon (twice) and Edgar Sosa from whom he took the world championship. All these fights can’t be branded as “clean” fights, and all were for world title fights. My wish for Mayol is that he finally gets to defend his crown and wins in a “normal” way. When headbutts and low blows become the topic of each of his fights, he’ll never earn the respect of the boxing fans.
Marvin Sonsona, like the Pacman and Donaire, is from Gen San, but the sad part is that his work ethic is nowhere near those of his more illustrious kababayans. After winning the WBO super flyweight title from Jose “Carita” Lopez last September (only six months ago), everything has been downhill. He lost his title on the weighing scale in his first title defense and lost in his attempt to win a second world championship two divisions higher at 122 pounds. Word is going around that despite having Nonito Donaire Sr. as his trainer, Sonsona’s off the ring activities and work ethic have been questionable. And more questions remain unanswered. Why was he rushed to fight in another world title fight so soon? Was he fed to become a ready loser to Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.? Was he truly prepared for a second world title fight at only 19 years old? A lot of soul searching and starting all over again will have to be the theme of Team Sonsona this year. Maybe this could be the humbling experience that he’ll need to finally wake up. If it’s any consolation, Pacquiao lost his world flyweight title when he could no longer make the weight, and we all know his place in boxing history today. Sonsona can duplicate this feat, but that goes with a very big and loaded “IF.”
“Ciso Morales fighting for a world championship? Against Montiel? Are you sure? Not a chance!” This was my reaction when I heard that Morales would replace Z Gorres as Fernando Montiel’s opponent. So when the fight ended so quickly, nobody was surprised. I’m guilty of not having spoken out about the glaring mismatch even if it was common talk among boxing writers and friends. But neither did we expect it to end so soon. This was a simple case of finding a Pinoy opponent who would be fed to the lair of Montiel, and make him look good. Montiel is now signed up to meet WBC bantamweight champ Hozumi Hasegawa in a unification title fight. I hope he doesn’t forget to say thanks to Morales for the upcoming big payday.
The performances of Donaire, Mayol, Sonsona and Morales were clearly not good indicators for the country’s search for Pacquiao’s second in line. For Donaire, it’s a case of the need to step up to face top-notch foes. For Mayol, no more controversies please. And for Sonsona and Morales, it’s back to square one.
oOo
Time-out: Happy birthday to Wilson “Siknoy” Yu. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
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