A shame to boxing

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

I BELIEVE you boxing aficionados were glued to your seats during the much-hyped WBC/WBO bantamweight title fight between our very own Nonito Donaire Jr. and Argentinian Omar Narvaez. Yes, I was too. But what we long anticipated to be an interesting clash turned out the other way. It was a disappointing result. I would describe it as one of the lousiest fights that I ever saw in my life since I started to follow boxing. It belongs to the hall of shame along with the unpopular Pacquiao-Clottey, Pacquiao-Mosely, Mayweather-Ortiz, and Hopkins-Dawson fights that disgusted the world boxing buffs, especially the paying public. And if the world-rated boxers will continue with this kind of weird and unorthodox way of fighting, I’m sure the image of boxing will be soiled. Boxing will no longer be bankable, in contrast to its popularity today. If this happens, those who will be most affected will be the real ring gladiators like our very own Manny Pacquiao.

But I believe famous world promoters like Bob Arum, Oscar dela Hoya and Don King know best. They’re not dumb to bank on a supposed mega fight if it’s not a marketable match anymore. And I’m not blaming Donaire for that boring fight. In fact, we saw clearly that the guy formerly from General Santos City tried his best to pummel the Argentinian and fiercely wanted to knockout cold his opponent like what he did to Fernando Montiel of Mexico last February to seize the crown. But the coward Latino kept on running during the whole 12 rounds, covering his face constantly to avoid the knockout punch of the Filipino. Donaire even taunted Narvaez by lowering his guards but the former world champion and formerly undefeated Narvaez refused to engage him in a toe-to-toe battle. Obviously, the Hispanic boxer’s strategy was just to survive the full route and collect the 250,000 U.S dollars purse.

What a shame. It was a bad gift to his newly elected president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner. Being a former recording artist, I sang the world famous song “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina,” dedicating it to Narvaez for his lackadaisical and dismal performance. I usually sing to annoy a person with a gutless attitude. Duwag ‘ika nga.

The “Filipino Flash” Donaire said after the fight that he wants to climb to the featherweight division (126 lbs.) But before doing that he’s moving up to a little heavier division to the super bantamweight first (122 lbs.). His boss Top Rank Promotions czar Bob Arum said he’s working out a possible title match with world super bantamweight champ Jorge Arce of Mexico early next year. And if that pushes through, I’m sure it will be a slam-bang contest knowing Arce as a slugger pugilist unlike Narvaez. And that’s what Donaire would like. As early as now, my fearless forecast is it will be Donaire’s game.

But let’s wait and see. Hopefully I’m not wrong. Amen.

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My big congrats to the UPang-PHINMA Flames under the stewardship of coach Jay Ronquillo for winning the 2011 PRISAA-UCAAP Inter-Colegiate Basketball Championship. The Flames plastered the 2009 titlists Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes coached by the flamboyant Angelito Gumarang in their third and final game. The UPang boys, formerly called Webczars, were the winners in 2005 and Ronquillo was just the assistant coach then. Reports reaching me say the rejuvenated Flames have advanced for the 2012 Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL). 

Mabuhay ka, Jay. You deserved that victory. God bless. 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” Or how can you say to your own brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in yourown eye?” Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. MATTHEW 7: 3-5

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