“Nishioka was outfought all the way. He showed plenty of respect for Donaire’s power. It was just a matter of time he would fall, and it came in the sixth and ninth (rounds), a TKO (technical knockout) win for the Filipino Flash” — Ram Maxey, Davao sports analyst
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The small living room of the Mapulas in Buhangin village was almost jam-packed with boxing fanatics from their family and the neighborhood.
Their eyes were glued on the television set, cheering for Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire every time he scores against the WBC (World Boxing Council) Diamond Champion Toshiaki Nishioka for the World Junior Featherweight Championship fight on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) aired live via satellite from the Home Depot Center in California, USA.
For the first five rounds, they’ve been waiting for Nishioka to “level up” and show his “speed.” They wanted to see his power shine. They wanted more action.
“He‘s very tentative. He doesn’t throw punches, like we expected. He’s quick to go away from Donaire’s punches,” said Rommel Tancugo, a tricycle driver.
But like the more than 7,000 spectators in California, they rose from their feet when Nishioka was knocked down after Donaire unleashed a left uppercut on the sixth round.
The succeeding rounds were still dominated by the Filipino Flash though Nishioka was able to throw body shots against the former.
On the ninth round, Donaire drew Nishioka to him against the rope. The latter gained an upper hand and released a series of jabs. But Donaire found the perfect timing to throw a right straight punch and knocked Nishioka down.
Referee Raul Caiz Sr. resumed the fight. But after Donaire released one more punch against Nishioka, the referee stopped the game.
“Nishioka was outfought all the way. He showed plenty of respect for Donaire’s power. It was just a matter of time he would fall, and it came in the sixth and ninth (rounds), a TKO (technical knockout) win for the Filipino Flash,” Ram Maxey, a sports analyst, told davaotoday.com in a text message.
Donaire’s new world record is now 30-1-0 (19 KO). He is the current number five pound-for-pound boxer in the world, according to The Ring magazine. He is a four-division world champion and the current WBO (World Boxing Organization) and IBF (International Boxing Federation) Super Bantamweight Champion. He is the former WBC and WBO Bantamweight, Interim WBA (World Boxing Association) Super Flyweight and IBF Flyweight Champion.
“We know that this fight can end at any moment because we both have power. And that’s what we’re afraid of,” Donaire said after the fight, in a television interview. He added, “If I made a mistake, he (Nishioka) would capitalize on it, that’s why we’re so focused.”
Japanese Nishioka, also called “The Speed King’ and ‘Monster Left,’ is the WBC emeritus champion. He’s ranked the number one super bantamweight in the world, according to The Ring. He’s new world record is 39-5-3 (24 KO).
“He was aiming for the home run. But I was aiming for a grand slam,” Donaire said in the same television interview.
Boxing fanatic McKenney Mapula told davatoday.com that he follows Donaire because “he’s a scientific fighter.”
Meanwhile, Tancugo said, “Nishioka’s speed is nothing compared to The Flash.” (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/ davaotoday.com)
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