-Photo Credit: Tom Casino-
This season’s Showtime Saturday finale
dropped its curtain with title holders Nonito Donaire,
Vernon Forrest, Antonio Tarver doing the expected versus
limited opposition.
Nonito Donaire (19-1, 12 KOs)
The defending IBF Flyweight champion sparkled like fine wine
in a first defense of the title he claimed from Vic
Darchinyan via one-punch knockout - the 25 year old Filipino
displayed all the markings of something special as he
quickly dominated the action over a game but outgunned Luis
Maldonado.
Quickly catches the eye with excellent
technique coupled with blinding speed - add pinpoint
accuracy and it spelled a long night for a game but clearly
out of his league Mexican challenger.
Stanza two finds Maldonado cut over left
eye before being wobbled by a Donaire lead right hand - late
in the round hurt by a left hook.
Nothing changes in round three other than
a second cut alongside the right eye - still, the Mexicali
veteran battled on - good enough to go to plan B in action
stanza four when working from the port side - this
one likely only winning round on the night.
The action was hot over rounds five and
six - and then number seven a Donaire right uppercut/ left
hook combo drops a bloodied Maldonado - and it’s clear the
mismatch should have been stopped then and there - but the
show would continue.
Finally, stanza eight - Donaire in search
of the stoppage and Maldonado unable to return fire -
referee Charlie Dwyer finally on the scene with a better
late than never no-mas. Enters books at 1:16 of round.
Post Scripts: Donaire ~ age 25 - the
shout is unification if it can be arranged - in technique
and punching power second to none. If using the speed and
text-book advantages could claim all the straps at 112.
Amber light a tendency to engage at close quarters.
Maldonado ( 37-2-1, 28 KOs) ~ age 29 -
entered rated numero cuatro among the IBF list - clearly got
there via blood and guts.
………………………………................................................................................................
Vernon Forrest (40-2, 29 KOs)
Slick choice the Vernon Forrest brain
trust in selecting Michele Piccirillo as first defense of
his WBC s/welter bauble - forget the 48-3, 30 KO’s job
application the guy’s punching power more lightweight
charged than s/welter.
Forrest did the homework, and facing a
stick and right hand short on clout foe, Vernon the “viper”
would do all the choreography - was much too quick and
diversified while enjoying the role of puncher.
Forrest tossing a shutout but wasn’t
until stanza six before a right hand dropped Piccirillo -
the visitor from Modugno, Italy, complained of rabbit punch
while taking the count - if legit complaint, it wore the
stamp of “inadvertent.”
Forrest continued with the shutout into
stanza nine - overhand right to the jaw and Piccirillo down
again - also cut left eye - Vernon then dominated over
stanza ten before scoring a TKO at 2:21 mark of number
eleven - no count made with Piccirillo injuring ankle when
falling to canvas courtesy of right hand.
Closing comments: Forrest (age 36)
tossing names at post fight ring interview: return with
Mayorga, who scored both debits on Forrest rap sheet. Also
Oscar de La Hoya, Cotto as I recall. Careful Vernon - that
Cotto punches with evil intentions.
Piccirillo ~ age 37 and now
damaged goods should maybe consider running for mayor of
that Modugno hamlet - the future was yesterday.
………………………………..............................................................................................
Antonio Tarver
(26-4, 19 KOs)
Main event went to past “Superman” Roy Jones conqueror
Antonio Tarver who registered a round four TKO over hapless
Danny Santiago - took no more than opening three minutes to
see this one a short night.
Was all Tarver over three one sided
candles - Santiago posed no threat to the recently out of
retirement southpaw, and once Tarver saw it a Saturday night
walk in the park he brought the action to the inside.
End quickly arrived at 2:53 mark of
stanza four.
Post Scripts: Antonio Tarver ~ IBO
l/Heavy champion - a now age 39 the positives are size at
6’ 2” while working from port side. Negatives is the old gray
mare ain’t what it used to be - guess is once stepping up to
the next level he’ll return to retirement with big pay
check. Talk is Chad Dawson.
Danny Santiago ( 29-4- 1, 19 KO) ~ age
34 - sobriquet “Bronx Bomber” - no Jake LaMotta and that’s
for sure. Best advice is return to where them 19 scalps were
exhumed if continuing fight career.
Referee report - Steve “Body Bag” Smoger
~ has turned mellow but gets best job honors on the night.
Charlie Dwyer ~ delayed stoppage cost him the honors - still
better than most we see today. Mercante Jr. earned boobie
prize - hard to believe this son of special one Mercante Sr.
has gone south since first seeing his work as rookie. Overly
dramatic in both posture and interference departments.
Final prizes: Win: Nonito Donaire head
and shoulders above the field. Place: Vernon Forrest second
best performance. Show: Antonio Tarver far from the “Magic
Man” that once dethroned Jones. A Chad Dawson meeting has
swan song written over it.
