Sports Eye
Boxers Julaton and Donaire
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
FIRSTLY, my warm congrats to the former two-time world super bantamweight queen Fil-Am boxer Ana “Hurricane”Julaton for winning her most recent bout against Mexico’s pride, world ranked Perla Hernandez, held on November 2 at Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. Her victory raised her record to 13-4-1 (win-loss-draw) with two knockouts. I believe her latest triumph will put her back in line in the quest for a world championship. Hopefully her Canadian promoter Allan Tremblay will be successful in looking for an opponent in a world title fight either in the WBO, WBC, WBA or the IBF belt. Julaton, 33, deserves a shot being a former twice world champion and a crowd-drawer, especially in Mexico. And who knows, her next fight might be held here in the Philippines. Yes, there was a rumor that her next fight will be held in the Philippines, particularly at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, but for some reasons unknown to many, the idea eventually fizzled out. I wish the idea is still being considered given the likely full support of our sports-minded governor, Amado T. Espino, Jr.
Pangasinenses should be proud of Ana who, despite being born abroad, unabashedly keeps on saying and that she’s a true Pangasinense by blood for having parents from barangay Villegas in Pozorrubio. I personally met her in Lingayen in 2011 when she visited our province to make a courtesy call on Gov. Espino, and to visit her relatives at her parents’ place of birth. It was then when she told the media about her sports career and earnest hope for a possible fight here in Pangasinan. Mabuhay ka, Ana. We’re proud of you.
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By the time you read this piece, the Nonito Donaire Jr.-Vic Darchinyan ten-round grudge rematch on November 10 might still be in progress or might already be over. These two ring gladiators, both former world champions, already fought before (July 7, 2007) when they were still in the flyweight division. That was won by Donaire, then 24, prevailing via a fifth round sensational knockout to capture his first of three world titles, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight (112 lbs) crown. But the Armenian Darchinyan, now 37, nicknamed “The Raging Bull” because of his come-forward style, continues to claim that it was a ‘lucky punch’ that floored him and that it would not happen to him anymore, especially now that he has acquired more skills. He boldly predicts a win over Donaire this time around.
Well, a lucky punch is still a punch and was included in the fight plan just like what Juan Manuel Marquez did to Manny Pacquiao in their fourth colossal fight. In basketball, it’s just like converting a buzzer-beating shot that seals the team’s victory. So, on November 10, six years after, with additional 14 pounds (126 lbs.) for them and both in featherweight divisions, the two former titleholders will collide anew in a non-title bout in Corpus Christi, Texas which will be aired live here on cable TV. Of course, we want our compatriot the “Filipino Flash” Donaire to win again (if possible) in a convincing fashion to shut the mouth of the haughty Darchinyan and to wipe out the stigma that he suffered from Cuban fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux in his last fight last April 13. Donaire might stop Darchinyan anew because the come-forward style of Darchinyan in their first fight is really suited for Donaire. And it’s good that the father-and-son Donaires have already reconciled after many years of unpleasant highly-publicized family feud. Nonito’s estranged father, Nonito Sr., is now back at his son’s corner as a trainer just like when Nonito Jr. kayoed Darchinyan. I think the reunion of the two will boost the morale of Nonito Jr.. I have been a professional athlete and I know that a blessing from your parents is so important in times like these. And as a Christian and to avoid karma (divine justice), we should always remember and obey God’s commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother.”
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” JOHN 3: 20-21.
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