Sports Eye
Mexican Juarez deserves a rematch
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
WE saw on TV how the five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. reclaimed the WBO (World Boxing Organization) super bantamweight title by outpointing the durable and sturdy Mexican ring warrior Cesar Juarez last Sunday in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our battered and blooded Filipino boxing icon survived the onslaught of the Mexican combatant in many rounds (after the sixth) and was even trapped many times on the rope on the verge of defeat, but he miraculously regained his equanimity especially in the twelfth and final round to get the unanimous nods of the three judges, 117-109, 116-110, 116-110.
The Mexican brawler did not dispute the verdict and humbly admitted his defeat but he didn’t agree how the fight was scored. “The judges were not fair. It was much closer, like a one-or two-point fight,” he said. Yes, and I agree. I’m not a virtuoso in scoring boxing but I believe it was closer than how the three judges saw it. Honestly I scored the bout, 114-112, for Donaire and the two knockdowns counted a lot for the Mexican pug. Sans those two knockdowns, it could have been a draw or just a one-point victory for the Bohol-born Donaire. “But a win is a win” as the saying goes in any kind of sports and so we have to respect the verdict because the judges (if not bribed) have a clearer view than us.
The WBO super bantamweight crown was held by Donaire before until he lost to Cuban fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux via unanimous decision in 2013. But surprisingly, WBO stripped Rigondeaux’s title due to his inactivity and that prompted WBO to sanction a Donaire-Juarez showdown for the title. And it was done.
“Tremendous fight and this was the toughest fight I’ve ever been in my life,” commented Donaire. “We gave it all and we gave him so much respect and I will definitely give him a rematch,” the Filipino Flash added.
Yes, Juarez deserves a return bout because despite the knockdowns he suffered in the fourth, the hell-bent and aggressive Mexican gave his all and showed his true greatness inside the ring against a more skilled fighter and champion Donaire. I’ve been watching world title fights on TV and sometimes in the flesh like the fights of Juan Manuel Marquez, Donnie Nietes and Brian Viloria, but the showdown last Sunday I consider was the greatest title fight in any weight division I’ve ever seen this year. The last three rounds were really a brawl and I thought someone could be knocked out to the delight of the Hispanic crowd and our countrymen. It was really a helluvah fight and with no comparison this year.
Donaire who now totes a record of 36 wins, three losses with 23 knockouts said he also wants a rematch with Rigondeaux which the Cuban never offered when he was still the king in this division. Well, it could be a good proposition but he must first give Juarez the rematch that Donaire promised and if again successful, he can set his sights on the Cuban for the title. “Juarez deserves the rematch pero depende yan sa promoter ng dalawa na si Bob Arum,” said my office mate Rolly Dioquino. So let’s just wait and see. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” MATTHEW 1: 21-23
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
