WEBB HALTS CELAYA; DONAIRE STOPS VILLALOBOS

By George Elsasser



 



 

The ESPN2 weekly futile fistic carnival found the way to San Jose for its latest FNF pro-am offering - and for anyone interested, read on.

Main event featured a pairing of welters without a future - in the more celebrated of the two, Jose Celaya faced a very game but unskilled masked man in undefeated James "Spider" Webb.

The pre-fite glowing report was all Celaya … touted as elite prospect at the doorstep of top ten recognition by the entire cast of Brian "award winner without a clue" Kenny, to Joey "Teddy Idolizing" Tessitore, to Atlas himself.

The early bouquets never paused for a pit stop, with the ringside experts blinding the viewer with references to the Celaya advantages because of a lengthy amateur background - and poor age 32, Webb had no beginner résumé to speak of.

And then the opening bell  - it’s Celaya showing good movement and better speed than his hapless in technique opponent with the 17-0, 14, Tennessee computer readout résumé.

Over the first three stanzas we have Teddy analyst pointing out how Celaya easily converts from orthodox to southpaw due to the amateur background, while Jimmy no-skills has nothing but strength and brawn on his side.

Come round four, the pedigree guy Celaya, is seen resting on his derriere courtesy of a straight right hand from the expected pigeon with the questionable rap sheet.

Suddenly we have a fight going on … and a nasty cut eye in stanza five from inadvertent clash of heads never stopped the Webb express as he motored his sloppy two-fisted offense in forward gear.

Celaya, inspired by the sight of the "Spider" dripping red fluid grabs rounds six and seven - then it’s candle eight and the bubble would burst as Jose "El Cuate" Is dropped by a straight right hand, and again by a barrage that began with a left hook. Time of stoppage 2:39 of number eight.

Post Scripts: James "Spider" Webb (18-0, 15 KO) ~ Should retire pronto … maybe open a tattoo parlor with photos of the muscled body sporting the art work, and title it "Spider the unbeaten." Sure beats one day seen standing on a Nashville corner under a street light while in conversation with it.
                      Jose Celaya ( 26-4, 15 KO) ~ Still young at age 23 and looks pretty good in skills when still standing. Lacks clout, suspect chin and just maybe had what appears a faint heart, stolen in last night’s fiasco.  
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Bantamweight mismatch saw Philippines Monito Donaire enjoying assorted advantages over Paulino Villalobos who took the fight on one day notice.

Donaire a tall 22 year old, with excellent skills, and eye-catching technique, had things his own way from start to bitter end that came at the close of stanza six. Culprit was a nasty cut to right eye that resulted from clash of heads.

Donaire is now at 10-1, 7 KOs while Villalobos drops to 24-30-2, 15 by knockout.

Closing comments: Donaire ~ Is worth another look … but against someone other than last minute ready or not, have bags packed variety. What we saw was a kid that could well develop into a special one. Quick in all departments, and uses the feint as if he invented it. Chin not tested thus jury is still out.
                                 Villalobos ~ Tough as nails, but at a now age 33, and a ugly résumé that suggests he’s being fed to the proverbial wolves, should call it a career.

P.S. For those that surfed onto this one and thought they had heard Brian "No Clue" again, and again, refer to the Corrales- Castillo war of attrition as "Best fight ever" did indeed hear it. Amazing how a fighter getting up from two knockdowns in a round, then rebound to a TKO win can translate to a "best ever, greatest ever," speaks volumes about those with the power of the mic in hand today. The fight was wham-bam from start to finish … but so too have all too many others gone that route - and with up and down multiple knockdowns enroute.


 



GEL