Donaire vs. Magdaleno: Is Nonito fighting his hardest foe ever?

By Boxing News - 10/18/2016 - Comments

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By Gerardo Granados: On November 3 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the former four weight division titlist Nonito Donaire, with a record of W37(24)-L3-D0, will try to defend his belt against the first solid contender he has faced in the last two years, when he fights southpaw Jessie Magdaleno with 24 years of age and a record of W23(17)-L0-D0.

After been brutally knocked out by Nicholas Walters, when they unified the featherweight WBA regular strap held by the Axe Man and the featherweight WBA super strap held by Donaire, the once best super bantamweight in the planet Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire, has faded in the last couple of years.

On his last four bouts Donaire moved back to the super bantamweight division and engaged against low level of competition. In which Nonito failed to impress or to look as he once did five years ago.

Jessie Magdaleno is a young lion hungry for fame and glory, a victory against Donaire can bring him the exposure he needs, even if Magdaleno is still unproven he does has the skills to trouble Nonito.

The reader can tell when Kronos has reached a boxer. The once superb reflexes that helped Donaire to elude punches, have clearly diminished, his once agile footwork isn’t the same either. It’s hard for any boxer to turn the clock around; it won’t matter if now he is stronger than ever, even if he still had his blazing hand speed, now Donaire is more stationary and has become quite predictable.

Having debuted back in 2001 Donaire nears to his 17 year as a prize fighter; his once big left doesn’t do the same damage it once did to foes at the fly, bantam or super bantam divisions.

On times when a boxer relies too much on his physical ability, he tends to fade once his body grows old, because due their physical attributes many of them don’t develop their boxing skills as they should, and it shows as they show signs of aging. For instance once Roy Jones Jr started to lose his freakish speed and reflexes he started to get hit more often.

Donaire possess a great personality, he is articulated and smart on the interviews, but inside the ring all those things don’t count. There is no doubt that Donaire has the experience, ring smarts and IQ to set traps, create openings and prepare his punches and perhaps that will be the toughest test for Magdaleno. But, the way Nonito has been hit in his last bouts it is a concern for me; against low ranked fighters he has not been able to avoid to get hit clean and has taken many punches that five years ago he would have been able to avoid.

Maybe Nonito still can beat a young contender in the name of Jessie Magdaleno. Perhaps Donaire´s heart will allow him to do whatever he needs to get the victory. But there is no doubt his opponent is younger and hungrier to take his place at the spotlight.

Mother Nature is savvy and knows when the right time to replace a lion is. So I will bet on Jessie Magdaleno to win a close decision. I strongly believe that Donaire is fighting against his most dangerous foe ever. But, what about the reader, do you agree?