Donaire’s Dad a blessing from the start

By Al S. Mendoza

 

NONITO Donaire Jr. is world champion again.

I am not surprised.

Not to brag but I even predicted for a knockout victory.

It was close.

Donaire dropped Simpiwe Vetyeka twice before their fight last week got stopped after the fourth.

After the second knockdown came with seconds remaining in the fourth, I knew the end was near for the South African.

But because of so much blood lost on the cut left eyelid of Donaire’s, the referee halted the fight even before the fifth round could start.

Donaire’s injured eyelid was a result of a head butt ruled accidental in the first round.

But Donaire thought it was intentional as he absorbed two more head butts, not to mention three elbows hitting his body and face in four rounds of the one-sided fight scheduled for 12.

When Donaire’s 1-2 punch to the face decked Vetyeka in the fourth, the South African appeared gone and done.

Vetyeka managed to rise, but it was obvious he had eyes for glass when he was being given the mandatory eight-count.

Had the fight gone another round, Donaire would have finished him off, considering the dynamites packed in the Filipino Flash’s fists.

Because the fight was stopped after the fourth due to an accidental injury, fight rules allow the scorecards of the three judges to decide the winner.

All three judges gave identical 49-46 scores to Donaire, who absorbed seven stitches to close the wound after his victory.

Despite the win, Donaire sounded dejected.  Even apologetic.

“I am not happy with the outcome,” he said.  “I wanted to please my fans with a fight that should not have ended this way.  This is unfinished business for me and I apologize to the Filipino people.”

Donaire stunned somewhat Larry Merchant, the ringside announcer.

“But you looked good and your victory was well-deserved,” Merchant told Donaire.

That’s when Donaire started to feel relaxed.  And generous even.

“I am willing to give Vetyeka a rematch,” he said.

That might happen in November.

This early, the return bout is being planned in a card that could also possibly include a Manny Pacquiao fight.

But until the rematch is here, let Donaire savor the moment of his latest triumph, which gave him his fifth world title under the WBA featherweight division.

I’m pretty sure Donaire will garner more laurels, especially now that he has reconciled with his father, who acted as his trainer for the second time in as many fights.

With Dad by his side, Donaire, almost as good as Pacquiao, has still a lot of many boxing years ahead of him.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments