Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13: Champs Versus Chumps

Despite the prestige and all the hype, the two main events of Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 featured world class champions versus average Joes. Many have predicted (and they proved to be correct) that both Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel would win their fights respectively. However, this was supposed to an event that billed the best of the Philippines against the best of Latin boxing.

Ciso Morales, though undefeated, was clearly raw and green against the seasoned Montiel. The Mexican brought the fight to a quick conclusion with a powerful left uppercut to the midsection of Kid Terrible. Morales obviously did not prepare his torso hard enough to endure vicious body attacks.

On the other hand, Manuel Vargas was clearly outmatched, outclassed, and bit more than he can chew when he signed up o fight Donaire. Of course, one can argue that Vargas has little time to prepare. But Guerrero was no different as he would have ended up in the canvas against the Filipino Flash.

It is a shame that this fight promised a series of showdowns between the best of Filipino and Latin boxers. The hype and the promotion have done their part of fanning the flames to spark interests among Filipino and Latin boxing fans. Sadly, what fans got were two main events that pitted elite warriors versus foot soldiers.

Not taking anything away from Donaire and Montiel, but it would have been better if their opposition were somehow legitimate and threatening enough. Ciso Morales, who suffered the first loss of his career, is still young and the experience will definitely teach him a lot of things – fighting at the elite level is no joke.

Hopefully, the next time Top Ranks concocts another Pinoy Power-Latin Fury spectacle, they’ll give fans a war.

Others News

Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines failed to bounce back from his recent loss to Juan Manuel Lopez last year in a very strong and brave effort against Puerto Rico’s Eric Morel. While considered as Philippines’ most technically sound boxer, Penalosa fought Morel’s fight, who box intelligently, using his size and reach advantage to their maximum potential.

Of course, Morel was seen excessively holding down Penalosa’s head, which warranted a deduction or two. However, no deductions came, which could have changed the results of the fight if they were implemented. Another note to consider is that that it was a close, tight fight. Nothing to be ashamed of for Penalosa, who really needs to hang up his gloves and call it quits after losing two fights in a row.

Perhaps the most exciting round would be Bernabe Concepcion vs. Mario Santiago. Both men gave boxing fans a dose pure boxing action from start to finish, with Concepcion flooring his rival once in the 6th round and Santiago retaliated with a rally in the final push. Concepcion’s win over SAntiago sets him a showdown with Puerto Rican superstar Juan Manuel Lopez.

Although untelevised, Philippines’ Mark Jason Melligen had a good time dismantling Raymund Gatica. Meliigen finished the bout with TKO victory in the 6th round.

Filipino boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Z Gorres were at ringside to show support for their Filipino brothers.

Donaire Finally Speaks on Viloria, Darchinyan, and Shaw

8CountNews caught up with the Filipino Flash, world champ Nonito Donaire and got his thoughts on the recent falling out between him and Brian Viloria. Donire also talks in depth about the entire Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather mess.

Donaire is scheduled to fight Gerson Guerrero on February, 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be available on PPV, and will be for the interim WBA world super flyweight title.

Donaire really breaks down the possible Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight, and gives an in depth analysis of what he believes will happen if the fight ever does materialize.

Check the podcast interview here.

Online Thread Reignites Donaire-Viloria Feud

Apparently, there are still some kinks between two Filipino champions Nonito Donaire Jr. and Brian Viloria. It can be recalled that Viloria beat Donaire and his brother Glenn in the finals of the 2000 US Olympic eliminations.

But after turning professional, it was Donaire who enjoyed large mainstream success both in and out of the ring while Viloria, due to losses in his major fights, slightly faded from the limelight. The feud between the two kicked off when Donaire directly dismissed Viloria and saying the native from Hawaii is not on his (Donaire’s) level and has nothing to offer him.

But Donaire was quick to apologize, reasoning that he was exhausted during the interview. Donaire said, “"Well I guess there is still some bad blood then. I apologized already for saying that he wasn't on my level and explained that I was just cutting weight and tired when that interview came.”

Everything seemed to be going all right for Donaire and Viloria when a thread started by Erica Navarro, Brian Viloria’s live-in partner, in a social networking site reignited the row between the two world class champions.

In her thread, Navarro blasted a certain fighter for hiring a certain trainer. Navarro and her friends went as far as calling this fighter names, including loser and copycat. Boxing insiders believe that she is referring to Donaire and his move on hiring Roberto Garcia, Viloria’s trainer, as part of his team.

Navarro posted the thread on December 21, 2009 when she and Brian learned that Garcia would miss a training day to appear at the press conference of Pinoy Power 3 / Latin Fury 13, which will be held on February 13, 2010, at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Donaire is slated to fight knockout artist Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero as one of the main bouts.

For his part, Donaire only hired Garcia as his strategist on the suggestion of his manager, Cameron Dunkin.

“I didn't think I was stepping on any one's toes hiring Robert,” Donaire commented. “Just like Freddie (Roach), I figured Robert could coach whoever he wanted. I mean he coaches my friend, Steven Luevano, a world champion, as well."

Donaire further clarified, "I just don't see what the big deal or problem is. Robert Garcia will be my strategist, not trainer at this time."

Rachel Marcial-Donaire, ever the faithful and loyal wife, came to her husband’s defense. "Well, I thought we were all friends so it's kinda sad,” said a disappointed Rachel. “I mean we invited them to all our outings, to the dinner in Manila, and we make sure if Nonito is recognized as a world champion, so is Brian."

She punctuated her piece saying, “But I'm glad I found out what she really thinks of us. I mean name-calling us "copycats"? Isn't that a high school thing?”