Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3 PPV Review

I don't know why, but every review seems to start with the main event. But not this one. I'll start with the most meaningful and competitive fight, then the controversial one, finishing with a brief account of how Donaire and Montiel's public sparring sessions went.

Bernabe Concepcion UD 10 Mario Santiago

In an unofficial eliminator to face WBO titlist Juan Manuel Lopez in the Summer, Bernabe Concepcion (30-2-1, 17 KO) won a too-wide decision over Mario Santiago (21-2-1, 14 KO) in the best fight of the night by far. The scores seemed wider than they should have been, but the judges had given it to the right fighter. Santiago gave it his all, but for me, he only won 5 rounds at most and Concepcion scored a knockdown. Santiago rallied late on but it wasn't enough, as Concepcion won by scores of 98-91, 96-93, 97-92. The BTBC scored it 96-93 Concepcion. It's a big win for Concepcion, who gets a once in a career opportunity against an icon in Juan Manuel Lopez. Lopez is the obvious favourite, but the unpredictable Concepcion is a live underdog.

Eric Morel SD 12 Gerry Penalosa

In a WBO bantamweight elimination fight, Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KO) shoplifted a split decision from veteran contender Gerry Penalosa (54-8, 34 KO). Two unintentional headbutts in round six opened cuts over Penalosa's eyes, but the 38 year-old Filipino upped his game down the stretch and had done more than enough to win on The BTBC card. By all accounts, it was a horrible decision. The judges scores were 115-113 and 116-112 to Morel, while one judge gave it to the right fighter, 115-113 Penalosa. The BTBC had it 116-112 to Penalosa, and it really could've been more.

Nonito Donaire KO 3 Manuel Vargas

Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO) knocked out blown-up strawweight Manuel Vargas (26-5-1, 11 KO) in three rounds in one of the biggest headline mismatches in PPV history. Donaire towered over Vargas and floored him with a left uppercut in the third. Vargas, a late replacement, is not the calibre of opponent Donaire should be facing at this stage of his career. His original opponent, Gerson Guerrero, doesn't fit the bill either.

Fernando Montiel KO 1 Ciso Morales

In another pointless fight, Fernando Montiel (40-2-2, 30 KO) continued his rise in the pound-4-pound stakes by creaming Ciso Morales (14-1, 8 KO) with a body shot in the opening round. The previously unbeaten Morales didn't give much of a fight, failing to beat the referee's count after Montiel landed a left hand to the body winded the challenger.

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Nonito Donaire: From Filipino Flash to Filipino Bust

by Paul Magno

When Nonito Donaire first hit the world stage and KOd trash-talking Armenian world champ, Vic Darchinyan, I was riding high on the Donaire bandwagon.

This kid looked like he had it all: power, speed, skill and charisma. He was the type of fighter who could be built into something truly special.

Now, almost 3 years after his shocking title grab, I am firmly off the Donaire bandwagon and it's all Nonito's fault.

With just four bouts in about three years and none against his division's top fighters, Donaire has certainly disappointed all but the most deliriously dedicated fan boys.

The latest disappointment from "The Filipino Flash" began with the selection of his PPV-headlining opponent: Boxrec's 35th ranked super flyweight and dedicated journeyman, Gerson Guerrero. It takes a pick up full of nerve to place Guerrero alongside Donaire on a pay per view main event, especially after Nonito has taken a 3 year working vacation.

Then, to make matters worse, Guerrero failed a pre-fight eye exam and had to pull out. Manuel Vargas was named sacrificial lamb in Guerrero's place. Vargas is the world's ninth ranked minimumweight last seen getting beat by 105 lb. Donnie Nietes.

For those unfamiliar with the weight classes, minimumweight is a full three divisions below Donaire's super flyweight division. So, essentially, Saturday we'll see the equivalent of Shane Mosley fighting super featherweight Jorge Solis.

Oh yeah, did I mention that Donaire is struggling with his weight and is still about eight pounds over the limit?

One has to wonder why Ring Magazine has stubbornly saved its seat on the bandwagon and insists on placing him in the #6 spot on their pound for pound list, especially when they rate him seventh in his own division. (By the way, the more accurate and reasonable rankings of The BTBC place Donaire #11 at 115 lbs., but that's a story for another day.)

Until something changes, this writer's official statement to Nonito Donaire is short and simple: Get back to me, son, when you're ready to take this sport seriously.

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