The Filipino Flash, Arum’s next upcoming star
Nonito Donaire “The Filipino Flash,”seems to be Arum’s next upcoming star and the aged boxing mind of Arum is applying the same winning strategy to his rise.
In February, Donaire blew right through Fernando Montiel, stopping the Mexican veteran in two rounds and officially becoming a world class, main stage star in the process. Montiel, who earned much of his greatest success at flyweight and super flyweight, was a two belt bantamweight titlist at the time of his loss to Donaire and a legitimately well-regarded champion despite being above his optimal weight and, at a very seasoned 32, a little long in the tooth.
Later this month, Donaire will be back in action against 35-year-old undefeated veteran world titlist, Omar Narvaez, who is moving up one division to fight for the bantamweight title. While Narvaez is a current belt holder at super flyweight, he is best known for his work at flyweight.
Donaire will be entering the ring as a huge favorite and will have every physical advantage over his opponent. However, Narvaez will be a big name on Donaire’s resume and, despite the real possibility of an easy blow-out, the win will go a long way in helping define the legacy of the Filipino-American star— even if other fighters would be significantly tougher opponents.
In boxing, perception is reality and a list of quality names is often more important to a fighter’s legacy and earning potential than a list of quality fighters. Nobody knows this better than Bob Arum— and nobody plays the game better.
Marquez to Pacquiao Again?
Marquez said this time, the issues that clouded their first two fights will be settled for good in his favor.
It took eight years for the third match to materialize.
The inevitable showdown between the gifted warriors had to happen, owing to the inability of the promoters to put up the much-preferred Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. deal.
The wait could have been longer if Bob Arum tarried in promoting the next best pair-up available.
Now, Arum is enjoying a leisurely cruise of the high seas south of France, aware that that his year-ending trilogy will go unscathed despite ongoing wranglings among warring henchmen. A bunch of hooey?
Going back to the time, fans were treated to a draw and a subsequent Pacquiao win, and the rubber bout is one vintage fistfight both fighters will lay all for a possible 2012 run-in with Floyd Junior.
There is no other fistic lure better suited for the purpose than for either Manny or JuanMa to trade punches with Mayweather, assuming Victor Ortiz doesn’t pull a damper and upset the Money Man in their Sept. 17 caper.
Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight title, while Marquez tries to find the right blows to reverse his misfortunes against a rival he’s never beaten.
Can the game Mexican beat the Pinoy Phenom, who’s considered one of the outstanding welterweights around? A ring veteran of 56 wars. A warrior, who has reached a high degree of excellence since moving up in the heavier weight categories. One who fights clean and not needing at all a ‘good behavior bond’ each time he laces up for a brawl.
Getting an early start via a first-round knockout in his Cancun tuneup, Marquez is working on battle plans aimed at neutralizing Pacman’s troublesome style.
But even with a first-round destruction of his Columbian punchbag, Marquez offers little reason for hope in beating Pacquiao. The posted odds attest to a majority of the betting public going for the boxing congressman.
Senior Marquez was woefully short of what’s expected of an aging challenger. As he found out early on, it’s never easy battling a heavy-hitter from the get-go up until the final bell.