They kept yammering on and on and on....about Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire Jr. belonging in the top four or five pound for pound boxers Saturday night on HBO.
It was a constant theme on the HBO telecast as Donaire put on a truly dazzzling display of skill, guts and boxing brains in giving Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. a thorough beatdown over 12 rounds in the Alamodome in San Antonio.
With about 14,000 fans, presumably 98 percent Mexican or Mexican American in the house, Vasquez, whose world champion father worked his corner, did not fare as well as Incredible Bulk Son of the Legend, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (at 181 pounds, making his "cruiserweight" debut).
(This just in from the Hot Place where the Devil's pitchforks are broiling: A special spot has been reserved for fight judge, and I use that term loosely, Dr. Ruben Garcia of Texas who somehow scored the one-sided bout 115-113 for Vazquez. Someone please give this doctor a proctology exam immediately and banish him from scoring fights so ineptly.)
Young Chavez exchibited his own brand of skill, smarts and intestinal fortitude in a brilliant Bruce Trampler piece of matchmaking, turning back Marco Antonio Rubio easily over 12 numbing rounds.
(Speaking of Chavez adding 21 pounds from weigh in until he climbed into the ring, perhaps Bob Arum can make him the first ever Mexican to become world heavyweight champeen? Coming soon, a Klitschko Brother versus JCC Jr. and it won't be held in Culiacan, Sinaloa.)
But back to the shining star on this fistic evening which was Donaire. He did so much, including overcoming a badly bruiser right eye pounding, that the men on the mike could do little but alternately praise and then drop in picayune criticisms as they watched,
I say this about that, forget the P4P listings and move on to my Most Exciting Fighters To Watch compenium as follows:
1. Nonito Donaire: Deserves this accolade as probably best pure "athlete" in the game with Andre Ward hugging him for second place. Fights righthanded and can switch to southpaw. Can crack with punches and throws from crazy angles. Donaire probably would've been a top class gymnast looking at how he gyrates. Pure entertainer in the ring.
2. James Kirkland, you have seen this explosive puncher so 'nuff said. Also his vulnerability and balsa wood chin make him fun to watch as well. Love to see him seek revenge against the Japanese guy, Ishida, wouldn't you? And how about Kirkland trying to knock the orange off Canelo's mophead? Even Kirkland's fiery trainer, Ann Wolfe, is excitable and compelling to watch.
3. Marcos Maidana, brawler's brawler. Asks no quater and gives none. All blood and guts, sort of an Argentinean Arturo Gatti.
Donaire is 29 and seems to be sharpening his abundant talents.
The criticism will keep getting pettier and pettier. It comes with the rarefied territory.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
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