Nonito Donaire’s Victory

“Filipino Flash” showcases his many talents!

Stepping up to 118, Nonito Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) definitely stayed out of harm’s way Saturday night as he battled Vladimir Sidorenko (22-3-2, 7 KOs) in the co-main of the “In Harm’s Way” Top Rank PPV card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Vying for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight Championship, the second most famous boxer from General Santos City gave his worldwide audience a thrilling show once inside the ropes.

As his challenger from Kiev had his home country’s flag draped around him during the introductions, the crowd was ready and waiting for the fireworks to begin. On the same floor where an ice rink usually hosts the NHL’s Mighty Duck hockey team, we all witnessed Donaire’s dominating performance that would’ve surely melted the frozen ice there.

In red boxing shoes paired with long red socks, the Filipino sparkplug showcased his speed, power and precision during the fight, scheduled for 12 rounds. He only needed three and a half rounds to knockout his game opponent from Ukraine–keeping Vladimir at arm’s length for most of the fight. In the opening round, Nonito looked razor sharp landing an uppercut and big right hands that had the shorter Sidorenko stumbling, face already turning beet red as he went down in the first stanza. As referee Marcos Rosales counted to ten, I watched the Russian let out a heavy sigh at the count of seven. With the crowd going bananas, these three minutes alone already gave the audience their money’s worth.

In the second frame, it was more of the same as the scintillating display of skill from Donaire was too much for Sidorenko, a former Bronze Medalist in the Sydney Olympics. Vladimir held on and tried to survive as his face continued to turn a bright shade of red that closely matched Nonito’s crimson trunks.

Then came round three with huge left hooks that only added to the collateral damage to Sidorenko’s face as he tried to fight back. A counter left floored the courageous Ukrainian once again. Hitting the canvas on the seat of his pants, Vladimiar quickly popped back up but the harm was already done. After the third round, Nonito’s punch stat was 66% to his foe’s paltry 14%.

In the next round, Sidorenko found himself down a third time, from being on the receiving end of a barrage of punches, including a left hook and a straight right from Nonito. As he crouched down with a flowing stream of blood gushing from his face, Sidorenko had a stunned look of both disbelief and defeat as Rosales called a halt due as the boxer was unable to continue in the contest.

While his brave foe had blood dripping down his face in dramatic fashion, Donaire appeared not to have a scratch on him as he was announced the victor by way of knockout at 1:48 seconds into round four. Official CompuBox figures showed that Nonito threw 237 punches to Sidorenko’s 98–with almost half of the Filipino’s stats recorded as power punches in a display of suffocating offense.

With this picture-perfect performance, the “Filipino Flash” has really entered the radar at the highest level in the boxing world. For casual boxing fans who may have only heard but not seen the Pinoy powerhouse yet, a star was born. But for the more hardcore boxing aficionado, a superstar was born–especially in the slot for 118 pound-for-pound supremacy.

Last Saturday was a great night of boxing with the Donaire-Sidorenko bout preceding the co-feature of the Humberto Soto-Urbano Antillon war, which is now a leading “Fight of the Year” candidate. Next on the agenda is an already highly-anticipated showdown on February 19 between Donaire and Los Mochis’ Fernando Montiel for the Mexican warrior’s WBC and Bantamweight titles.

But first things first. After the masterful victory, there was a little time to celebrate his big win.

In these exclusive pics, check out the champ’s celebration during a victory party at the fight headquarters’ hotel.

The boxer from the Philippines grew up in poverty and has never forgotten his roots. Joining the celebration were many relatives and friends of the fighter and his team that includes trainers Robert Garcia and Jonathan Penalosa. His many relatives also got the chance to share in Donaire’s victory as his brand new green and gold WBC belt was admired by those in the packed banquet room.

One little girl posed with her cousin’s belt with pride. I met Erynn, just seven years old, who showed me that prizefighting is in her DNA too. I watched the cutie shadowbox, just like she’s seen Nonito do many times. Her tiny hands clutching the new trinket, she could barely hold up the championship belt of leather encrusted with its gold medallion. “My father and Nonito’s father are cousins,” her father told me as I met many of the friendly Donaire clan.

While Nonito was the guest of honor, a pretty “lady in red” also received a lot of love in the room. Rachel Donaire was enjoying her husband’s latest victory as she greeted the guests entering the room. The new champ made his way to each table, shaking hands and thanking everyone for their support.

Also in attendance was Claudia Ollis, businesswoman and a force in women’s boxing. “Nonito’s fight was GREAT!” she said with a bright smile as the party got underway. The Demi Things entrepreneur is good friends with the couple and was very happy to see Nonito’s shining performance, just like everyone else in the room was.

Veteran trainer and cutman Tony Rivera was also at the celebration; he introduced me to one of his talented female amateur fighters. Yudibel Martinez has been training with Rivera and is a big fan of the sweet science too. The petite pugilist checked out the special Nonito Donaire bus sitting outside the hotel as everyone mingled inside and outside of the venue. Rivera also took her to meet the reigning WBC Lightweight Champ “Zorrita” Soto.

During the Donaire celebration, severaal other familiar faces took time to meet well wishers that had gathered after the fights. Juan Manuel Lopez, undercard fighter Pawel Wolak and the main event’s Humberto Soto were also seen. Soto had one tough bout in his brawl versus Urbano Antillon. I spoke with Abel Sanchez, Urbano’s trainer, who said they are already looking ahead to a fight in February–and will continue in their quest for a world title. The well-regarded coach from Big Bear also introduced me to some international boxers he’s training. “This is Gennady Golovkin,” Abel said. “He’s WBA Middleweight Champ, a Silver Medalist and a four-time amateur champion. He’ll be fighting on December 16–on Tuesday we leave for Kazakhstan!”

The guys all enjoyed a great night of action at the Honda Center and, like everybody else, were impressed with Donaire’s victory against Sidorenko, a former WBA Bantamweight Champion.

But now the new WBC Bantam crown rests on the head of one Nonito Donaire–who could also be called a “Kung Fu” Champion? Earlier in the night, the victor was wearing a track suit with his team jacket as he entered the celebration. After joining some other friends next door, I went back to the hotel to say goodbye to the Team Donaire. By this time, Nonito had changed into dress slacks, a blazer and a black newsboy cap as he continued the evening greeting those at the celebration.

And just how did he end a memorable night of four convincing KO rounds and a standing-room only victory party?

No rest for the wicked.

Nonito had energy–and his feisty spirit–to spare. The fun-loving boxer and devoted husband had some late-night fun at the expense of his goodnatured wife, Rachel. As the business dynamo was being interviewed, Nonito intervened–with a big grin. While the camera was trained on his beautiful wife, the slugger went behind her and began showing off some high-flyin’ kicks from his top karate moves–all aimed at Rachel. As everyone cracked up around her, she did her best to keep a straight face as Rachel eventually caught on to what Nonito was doing behind her. She just laughed and shook her head as the champion really got his “kicks” in at his victory party.

Nonito Donaire–not just a “Championship Boxer” but apparently a “Kung Fu Master” too!

Not bad for a night’s work.

Congratulations again to Team Donaire and Thank You (Salamat) to Rachel Donaire.

Photos by Michele Chong