Donaire fought someone as scared as a rabbit

By Al S. Mendoza

IT wasn’t a beautiful win.

But a win is a win is a win.

Nonito Donaire Jr. deserved the victory on Sunday in New York not only because he came to fight but also, he was all set to give the crowd a fantastic show.

But, alas, Omar Narvaez had other things in mind.

The 36-year-old Argentinean came not to fight but merely to collect his purse of $250,000.

The 28-year-old Donaire pocketed $750,000 for a fight that was essentially a non-fight.

Narvaez did nothing but cover his face, a la Joshua Clottey against Manny Pacquiao a while back.

Narvaez ought to be ashamed of himself.

He came brandishing a 37-0 record (2 draws, with 19 knockouts).

Anytime, that’s an impressive fight record.

But then, who would now believe he was that good?

He was unbeaten going to the fight, yes, but did he really win those 35 fights against opponents of note?

Donaire finally presented himself as the most daunting foe for Narvaez.

Donaire is 26-1 going to the fight and had staked his 118-lb crowns in both the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization.

It was Narvaez’s biggest chance to prove that his 35 straight wins were not a fluke.

Likewise, his 16 straight successful title defenses of his 112-lb and 115-lb titles were being finally put to focus on the world stage.

For, as you know, Narvaez has fought mainly in his native Argentina and some parts of Europe.

New York was his biggest stage to display the stuff he is supposed to be made of.

But, no, Narvaez proved to be a fluke, if not a fake.

By doing nothing but cover his face against Donaire, Narvaez disgraced the sport that we all love.

You are unbeaten all your life and, now, suddenly, you surrender every round of the 12 rounds you are supposed to mix it up with the reigning world champion.

I really can’t understand the logic behind that.

It was clear that Narvaez came to New York merely to finish his fight with Donaire—unscathed.

If at all, Narvaez succeeded in maintaining his record of never been knocked out, much less knocked down.

He ought to be congratulated for that.

If a fighter accomplishes his target, he is good.

Who said aiming for a loss and achieving it is not also an accomplishment?

By practically running away from Donaire, to be out of harm’s way for 36 minutes, why, it takes courage to be able to achieve that.

He was so good in avoiding Donaire that the only equipment lacking in Narvaez’s repertoire was a bicycle.

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