Send in Filipino Flash with an Elorde heart
Himself speaking, Nonito Donaire Jr., the Filipino Flash, has vowed to unwrap a new exciting package against South African champion Simpwe Vetyeka in a world featherweight championship duel on Saturday.
Donaire, dull, soft and tentative in his two previous bouts, said he would be a delight to watch again.
More importantly, he has promised to relink (unify) his hands with his legs for a “new Nonito Donaire.”
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Donaire was at the peak, and was named fighter of the year, in 2012 following an explosive streak that saw him disposing of a slew of fancied foes, Montiel, Nishioka, Sydorenko, Arce, etc., until he clashed and was rudely exposed by Cuban golden boy Guillermo Rigondeaux, two-time Olympic bantamweight champion.
In a succeeding bout, he was on the verge of a second straight fall after being manhandled by Vic Darchinyan, whom he had stopped in their first meeting.
Distressed, Donaire threw what looked like a desperate left that stopped Darchinyan cold in the ninth round.
However, in his latest outpouring before Saturday’s comeback bout, Donaire continued to count those bouts of his against Rigodeaux and Darchinyan as garbage.
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In fact, in a talk with veteran sports scribe Joaquin Henson, Donaire bared that in the last Darchinyan fight, his limbs were misbehaving rather mischievously.
“It was like an internal debate,” he tried to explain. “My legs were working to go one way, my hands the other.”
He failed to specify what had caused that momentary malady, and instead announced he was truly elated at his new form.
“I will do whatever is necessary, I won’t just go for a knockout, I will study and set up my opponent,” he said.
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It was indeed great that Donaire had taken time out to bare what he thought went wrong—and what he has done to correct the mistakes.
In Macau to bid for the world featherweight crown, Donaire claimed he could not ask for more. He has everything and everybody, including an elite security staff, his wife and their nine-month-old child.
Of course, it need not be told that he can’t afford to lose this one if he’s to at least remain in boxing’s elite circle.
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It’s like this. Vetyeka, a devotee of the great Nelson Mandela, has vowed to do everything to keep his crown and honor the memory of his idol, the father of South African liberation.
Truth is Vetyeka, despite back-to-back wins over Indonesian ring heroes who were not truly world class, cannot be expected to be as sharp, elusive as the incredible Rigondeaux.
At the same time though, the South African world featherweight champion cannot be expected to be a picnic bout (for Donaire), the way, Arce, Montiel et al had ended up.
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Vetyeka did not even have to say it. It’s in his blood. He will fight to the finish.
With Donaire at his best—and hopefully at his bravest—there’s the great possibility of a classic, a fight of the year candidate.
The only thing that remains is for Donaire, now that he has worked hard to permanently reunify his hands with his legs, to make sure the red receptacle inside his chest stays in place and functions suitably as conveyor of courage at the height of battle.
Here’s hoping and praying Donaire gets to wear the warrior heart of Gabriel Elorde, the original Filipino Flash, through the killing tests he can be expected to undergo in Macau against an unforgiving African lion on Saturday.
