walters By Daniel Hughes: The chief support at the StubHub Center, in Carson, California, this past Saturday was the WBA Super World featherweight title fight between Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters. It was a fight that looked to be action packed from the start, and it did not disappoint in that regard. Walters moved to 25-0 (21 KO’s) via a 6th round KO. Walters was younger man taking his chance, and stepping up in class and performance against Donaire (33-3 (21 KO’s).

Donaire, of course, came to fight, he always does. He came up against a bigger, stronger, and younger opponent who unheralded before will now certainly be a force at featherweight. The fight was a real advertisement in a division that that boasts many good match ups and potential unification fights. Walters is now in the mix.

Fighter’s nicknames are not always a true reflection of how they actually fight. Nicholas ‘Axe Man’ Walters, to those who had not seen him before, he lived up to his moniker, with chopping massive shots into Donaire who felt the power of the Jamaican from the start. Donaire, when under pressure, tried to meet the onslaught head on. The last seconds of the second round, Walters in an exchange of massive punches, was stiffened by a trademark Donaire shot and in trouble. The bell sounded at the right time for Walters. His corner refocused him. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Donaire at the lower super-bantamweight class especially had of course the get out of jail card of one punch turning a fight on its head, but not against Walters.

The fight from that point on did not relent action-wise. Both fighters looking to engage and meeting in the center of the ring, and no quarter given. Donaire believed he could turn the tide of what he was facing by looking for another punch that would end the argument. Walters, by the end of the fifth, looked to be well on top, and with the bases loaded and in the 6th round delivered the home run. Donaire, face down from another clubbing shot from Walters, was in no condition to continue. His face told the story of the fight, bruised and battered beaten by the superior fighter.

Walters took his opportunity and the future looks bright to me a TV fighter that fans will enjoy watching and that HBO will look to showcase again. I really can’t see him in a boring fight he loves to pressure, throws heavy combinations and has that knack all fans and writers love his knockout power.

The class of the fighters interviewed afterwards cemented what had just happened. Many fighters caught in the moment will clutch at straws. The winners, of course, calling out the next opponent with the dollar signs the big fights bring. The loser bemoaning what had just transpired. Neither felt the need, and they knew they had been tested by the other, and pushed to the limit.

Donaire, when interviewed afterwards in the ring, claimed to have had the best camp ever, long and dedicated. Donaire knew the task ahead when many had overlooked Walters. No excuses, “I was beaten by the better man,” he said. “He beat the [expletive] out of me,” he said afterwards in the post-fight interview. Candid yes. He went on to further congratulate Walters and will now take a step back and seriously think about if he will return. Whatever he does he has entertained, four weight world champion to me he his options are to go back down in weight or retire. Does he want to put himself through it? Does he need it?

The final word for the young lion Walters. He knew the size of opportunity he had and needed to take. Fighting on HBO, national audience as a relatively unknown fighter, it was now or never. Walters admitted at the tail end of the second round he was in real trouble. He thanked Donaire for giving him the chance, and that many wouldn’t on a platform that he needed to beat a big name.

The fight was all action. Walters showed he has a lot to offer both inside and outside the ring. There was no need to boast, bravado. He produced a clinical performance in the ring. Both also showed class outside, the talking left in the ring.