By Nick Bellafatto
This weekend on July 7th from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, pound-for-pound sensation Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (28-1, 18 KO’s) will be looking to capture a second different title in as many fights in only his second appearance at 122 pounds. And in this rare circumstance which is a feat all by itself, they say Nonito literally has a tall order in taking on a much lengthier IBF champion in Jeffery “Marvelous Mongoose” Mathebula (26-3-2, 14 KO’s) of South Africa.
For besides rendering Nonito’ usual height advantage non-existent, Mathebula is a little known quantity who represents a stern and uncertain challenge by virtue of the fact that in addition to his stature, he is quite skilled as well.
And in this confrontation between two champions where it could be said that each man is trying to further unify the division, the higher expectations are no doubt leaning in the direction of the Filipino fighter, who, ranked #4 on the planet, has supposedly trained the hardest he has ever trained in preparation to face what he considers the unexpected.
With Donaire alluding to the fact that his efforts exceeded that of past training camps, does this in and of itself signify that he cruised through the bantamweight division without exerting himself to the fullest? According to him that’s apparently the case indeed, so that perhaps we should excitedly expect more from Nonito in this fight and beyond.
After knocking out Vic Darchinyan in 2008, the San Leandro, California transplant’ confidence has soared, of which a big knockout in a big fight sometimes has the capacity to do. “The Filipino Flash” had just come to the realization of how talented he really was. Combine that with his size and athleticism, then this surely factored in heavily as regards his overall domination of the flyweight division up to bantamweight.
But that size advantage will be but a distant memory when he steps into the ring this Saturday night, while perhaps more importantly the jury is still out as concerns Nonito’ power at 122 pounds. In light of the fact that Donaire couldn’t put away an outgunned Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. during his title acquisition just one fight ago, this may become a concern as punching with authority on the part of the WBO champion could, and should factor in immensely against Mathebula.
In Nonito’ defense, he did put Wilfredo down despite perhaps suffering the effects of a popped vein in his left hand which may have prevented him from finishing off the hapless Puerto Rican pugilist. Precisely why it’s yet to be determined if “The Filipino Flash” has the same pop on his punches that he possessed in the lower weight classes.
No matter though, as Donaire would still convincingly garner the WBO belt by virtue of his being the more skilled fighter who’s agility far surpassed that of his most recent opponent. But make no mistake, “The Filipino Flash” has every right to feel that he his in for a test in facing Mathebula this Saturday night, not only because the South African is the much rangier fighter, but because he’s a champion and for good reason.
For Jeffery Mathebula seems to do many things well at a relatively high level. He can fight forward or back, while he has a good jab and throws in combination. Moreover, he’s elusive with his defense up to this point having obviously been sufficient. In other words, he is a well rounded fighter who’s talents have allowed him to become a world champion. And if any liabilities exist on the part of the visiting fighter, they come in the form of Mathebula squaring up from time to time so as to make himself a presentable target, with the crux of the matter being that the South African plain and simple lacks punching power.
In light of that, and for what Nonito has been criticized for by some, the lack of a consistent jab, ironically throwing the jab on a limited basis is just what the doctor may have ordered here. I’m not suggesting Donaire dispense or downplay the role of the jab, but with perhaps as much as a four inch reach disparity in combination with Mathebula not being a big puncher, Nonito may be best served by using the jab ala Mike Tyson.
That is, jabbing not to set up his usual combinations, but rather using that particular punch just to make his way inside where he needs to set up camp and do damage. Firing off short shots and using angles looks to be the ticket for Donaire, especially the angles part if the Filipino’ power fails to take effect right away if at all.
And working effectively inside is not only going to be par for the course, but Nonito may have to wear down the African fighter to perhaps keep him where he wants, especially if he is having success at infighting. With various pundits claiming that this fight represents a walk in the park for Donaire, I think he’s rather going to have to get in there and earn it, not only from the point of view that Mathebula may be able to use his height as well as the ring to his advantage, but he can fight relatively well in close.
Again, with it being questionable how much effect Donaire’ power will have, Mathebula will find out in a relatively short time whether he is able to stand in and trade from time to time with his opponent. Otherwise it maybe off to the races for “The Mongoose” if indeed Nonito can sting the IBF champion, or through an accumulation of punches begin to win a battle of attrition.
So a couple of question’s in this fight are, will Nonito effectively make his way inside first of all to outpoint his adversary or even gain a stoppage? Or, will Mathebula be able to outfox and outbox his counterpart, imposing his physical advantages in what is sure to be a tough place to get a decision as the away fighter?
If South African fighters are known for anything, it’s their stamina and their resolve to keep fighting. And in this instance if the highly ranked Donaire can’t find a way to end matters before the limit fighting in the style of a smaller man, or at least slow his opponent down to outscore the Zulu warrior, it will perhaps end up a two-way battle with the end result uncertain. Of course uncertainty is what the sport of competitive boxing should be about. Whether it’s too tall an order for Nonito Donaire remains to be seen.
For Mathebula see’s this as his opportunity to shine in a big way and he will give it his all in what’s surely to be another test for the Filipino. And if Donaire passes this exam, as many have already concluded he will, it’s been said that a bout with Jorge Arce is on the table. A match up with Arce would supposedly determine who will have bragging rights in the division even though the esteemed Mexican veteran currently holds no title, a laugher to be sure if you happen to go by the name of Guillermo Rigondeaux.
And where at one point I wholly favored Donaire to clean out the junior featherweight division en-route to venturing up to the lightweight ranks where at some point I originally surmised he would face the first real significant challenge of his career, I have since changed my opinion.
After a couple of poor television outings on the part of the highly touted Cuban amateur recently turned pro Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, this outstanding prodigy has not only come around a bit to show his mettle, but he has emerged to pose a most significant challenge to Donaire or anyone else in or near the junior featherweight division.
As a matter of fact, Guillermo’ talents have risen to the surface in a big way so that a contest between Donaire and Rigondeaux has not only generated much public interest as of late, but many feel that Donaire may be handed a setback if this potential match up were ever to take place. While “The Filipino Flash” dismissed Rigondeaux as a less than appealing ultra-conservative fighter who would stink the place out, the Cuban fired back by not only saying that he would render Nonito a full time photographer, but that he would further fight him in a fifteen foot ring so as to give the impression he wouldn’t cave in as had former Donaire opponent Omar Narvaez.
Only time will tell if a Donaire-Rigondeaux contest will come to fruition, or even if that bout is up for consideration by Bob Arum under whom both Rigondeaux and Donaire are contracted. What is sure is that fight fans would be riveted to this potential contest, so much so that if this bout were to never take place, it would fly in the face of the Filipino’ assertions that he’s intent on collecting all the belts on his way to becoming the division’s undisputed champion.
In days gone by when top fighters matched against other top fighters was par for the course, preserving the image, and/or records of certain athletes as a selling point has lessened the significance of the sport. In fact, this logic has worked against itself in the long run as opposed to maybe the desired short term gains of promoters who are less interested in providing fight fans the best bouts.
In other words, Arum may be looking to have Donaire fill a void that a seemingly faded monied interest in Manny Pacquiao is about to create. If this be the case, then it may just end up being at the expense of another avoided Cuban, as well as at the expense of a dwindling fan base. Let’s hope not, as I am sure that Donaire will at some point be up to the challenge. I’m just not so sure Arum will be.
As to Jorge Arce being Nonito’ next potential opponent, it’s no sure bet Jorge would put on the kind of showing that he has in the past when confronted with Donaire, especially considering that the storied Mexican fighter looked to bail out of his most recent fight where hard hitting Jesus Rojas looked to be taking it to him.
All speculation aside, there are other players besides Rigondeaux, although less appealing, at whom a victorious Donaire will be staring if in fact he becomes a unified champion. Two of those names include former world champion Toshiaki Nishioka and current WBC title holder Abner Mares, fighters most likely to be in attendance at the Home Depot Center this weekend.
First things first though, as this Saturday night on HBO’s Boxing After Dark [BAD] at 10pm ET/PT, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” has to handle his business against Jeffery “Marvelous Mongoose” Mathebula who has plans of his own to gain recognition as one of the more formidable fighters in the junior featherweight division, as well as in the world.
Tune in to see what becomes of this intriguing bout, as well as what it portends for the future. Also to be featured in the co-main event is comebacking former world champion Kelly Pavlik from Youngstown, Ohio who will face off with contender Will “Power” Rosinsky of New York.
