Merchant says Donaire’s win over Montiel puts him at an elite level, but wonders whether Americans care about bantamweights
February 21st, 2011
By Chris Williams: Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO’s) may have scored a spectacular victory in defeating WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KO’s) last Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, but it might not have been enough for Americans to get behind Donaire and start seeing him as someone they want to watch.
In an interview of Merchant by examiner.com writer Chris Robinson, Merchant said “I think it [speaking about his win over Montiel] places him in the top level, in the elite level in the sport. The question is whether American viewers care about bantamweights. It’s very rare that American fight fans have shown much interest in fighters in that weight class. He also showed that he has the kind of skill and strength that he could move up to the featherweight divisions.”
I hate to rain on Donaire’s parade but Merchant is correct. American boxing fans, at least the casual boxing fans, don’t follow or care much about the bantamweight division. It is what it is. Who knows why Americans tune-out these kinds of fighters, but it has to be because of their lack of size. Americans have always favored bigger fighters compared the smaller ones. Donaire might help himself if he were to try and move up in weight as soon as he can because I can’t see him becoming big star for as long as he fights at bantamweight. I don’t think fighting at super bantamweight will make much difference. Donaire needs to move up to featherweight and hope that he can get some fan interest fighting at this weight.
Tags: 21 Responses to “Merchant says Donaire’s win over Montiel puts him at an elite level, but wonders whether Americans care about bantamweights”
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Can i share this space, I want to ask Floyd to fight Manny because people are waiting and peoples loves you make us happy we know you have good heart and this dreaming fight can give u more popular and more money. we are hoping floyd. we are hoping fr. phils.
Donaire has a deadly punch that could pick all belts bantams he’s planning to catch all , fear mexican BEWARE.
beware of nuclear punch of nonit to all bantam mexican he’s planning to pick all belts .
beware of a heavy a Vick pretty sweet punch to all mexican boxer donaire is on top now.
Gamboa > Donaire
Lopez > Donaire
Boxing fans dont care about smaller weights, plain and simple. Pac actually fought a couple great fighters at smaller weights but it wasn’t until he beat up shot, recently defeated WWs that anyone cared. Mosley was amazing at lightweight and no one cared, Mayweather cleaned out a stacked 130, and beat the very best at 135 and no one cared until he beat an overhyped Gatti at 140! I’m not saying its right but to be a big star, a boxer must at least be 140.
I think Donaire is on steroids. In the sport of boxing, you don’t just drop an experienced champion who hasn’t lost a fight in about five years and one who was having a banner year in 2010. It just doesn’t make any sense. So he must be on somethin. My father and uncle think so too.
The rising of a new star has began. The way he performed, surely got the attention of the Americans, regardless of the weight class.
I agree i don’t care abotu midgets who can’t be seen above the top rope, once they get to featherweight i will start to care
with respect to Montiel,yes he is more experience than Donaire and a champion..but it seems Montiel looks like an amateur boxer compare to Donaire yesterday..totally outclass!!!..sad to say..
Why Donaire carried Philippine flag in the fight in spite that he is an American citizen. Isn’t treason?
I’m Filipino and I must admit I would love to see a Showdown between the Filipino stars. that would be great
only white americans cares…..im a negro american….a former slave!
i bet you would say different things if montiel won…
I would prefer the flash to fight the winner of mares v agbeko and be the undisputed bantamweight title holder. He could take the fight for the Ring title and would be his 1st lineal championship belt. then he could take vazquez to superbantamweight title for his 4th weight class. and finally he could take either lopez or gamboa.
You may not sure !!!!!!! why !!!!!! Im pretty sure youre not american or any race in this planet!!!!!!!! ah , youre an ET from saturn, thats why you couldnt appreciate the one of a kind ko punch of donaire. Mind you ET, nonito will become number one pound for pound boxer in the this planet earth !!!!!!!!!!!!
For sure the Americans will care and follow thw career of Nonito Donaire especially he is now in the never-to-fight list of Floyd Mayweather…
arum doesn’t care on what merchant say
future i$ $o bright for donaire
@zxcv
you should know why Chris Williams hate Filipino boxer. Chris was dumped by his filipino lover over and he really miss the steel rod of his former lover.. lol.
You know it’s fine when you write something that attract argument for us bloggers. But to discredit a fighter’s talent is a different, seems like your asking all the bloggers to throw tomatoes in your face.. No offense
hey chris listen in an interview doanire said that he was surprised to see montiel’s looked so worried and scared in the opening bell. didn’t you say donaire will be scared once he sees montiel. i’ve never read an accurate article from you when it comes to manny and donaire. i wonder why.