Donaire rematch appears a must

THERE’s every reason—and evidence—to say that last Sunday’s world super bantamweight boxing title war won by Nonito Donaire Jr. in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has taken the lead for Fight of the Year honors. It would, however, be unfair to give the accolade solely to the stout-hearted fighter known as the Filipino Flash.

For the first time in his career, the 33-year-old Donaire appeared every inch a worthy successor to ring immortal Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, but more on a great warrior heart, than on overall boxing prowess.

The plucky Mexican underdog Cesar Juarez gave an equally gallant performance that could be enough for him to claim the other half of the world crown.

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Ringside experts were unanimous in saying Donaire appeared headed for a dominant performance, based on his spectacular stance in the early rounds, capped by two knockdowns of Juarez in the fourth.

How Juarez got off the floor like a wounded bull, bristling, to push his vastly experienced foe onto the edge of bloody defeat should form part of Mexican boxing lore.

As the fight expert Dr. Rene Bonsubre of Philboxing.com wrote, “Juarez pushed and punished Donaire on the ropes like a bull turning the tables on the matador.”

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Donaire’s trainer-father, Nonito Sr., would admit it was solely Nonito’s superb conditioning that saved his famous son from being savagely mangled in the closing rounds.

Nonito in the second half was like a seasoned trooper that forgot to put on his trusted dancing shoes.

He was confused, predictable and allowed himself to be banged silly, again and again.

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There was indeed a slip that resulted in an ankle injury in the sixth round; although it would be evident in the replay tape that Nonito had already allowed himself to be trapped tight starting the fifth round, which Juarez won clean.

There were sights of Nonito dancing out of the killer corners, but these were brief and insignificant. What came out clear was that Nonito had started to run out of wind, before miraculously regaining strength to remain on his toes during the very brutal exchanges.

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It would be explained later that Nonito had opted to lean on the ropes in order to lure Juarez en route to landing a haymaker that never came.

Anyway, while international writers were unanimous in claiming it was a great war that was fought on top of the ring on Sunday, a few scribes said Nonito’s uneven stand against his younger, inexperienced foe could cast a doubt on his ability to rejoin boxing’s elite circle.

Nonito, battered and bloodied, has readily offered Juarez a rematch.