By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The respected editor-in-chief of the acknowledged “Bible” of boxing, Ring Magazine, says newly crowned IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire was “very impressive” in his fifth round stoppage of the previously undefeated Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan.
Nigel Collins told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Donaire “boxed intelligently, using his legs to create punching angles and on the few occasions Darchinyan caught him with a good punch, he took it well.”
Collins reflected the general view that most opponents have been afraid of Darchinyan’s punch “but not Nonito.”
The Ring Magazine editor-in-chief said Donaire had “a well-considered fight plan and carried it out in highly focused fashion.” Collins added, “the left hook that finished the fight was a beauty.”
While it is true that Donaire has been fighting as a super flyweight at 115 pounds Collins said he didn’t agree with those who say “he won because he is a naturally larger man” adding “he won because he’s a better fighter than Darchinyan.”
Collins said the Ring Magazine ratings will be updated today and he expects Donaire to “probably assume Darchinyan’s position as No.2 flyweight.”
At the same time Collins disclosed that Ring Magazine is currently preparing a new full-length feature on Donaire that will include the Darchinyan fight. The article is being done by Joe Santoliquito. Ring’s only previous article on “The Filipino Flash” who hails from General Santos City, hometown of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao was a “New Faces” profile in the April 2006 issue.
