Bleacher Report Live Blog: Nonito Donaire vs. Omar Narvaez
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Nonito Donaire, the WBC and WBO bantamweight champion and The Ring's No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, makes his Madison Square Garden debut against the undefeated, two-division world champion Omar Narvaez this Saturday, October 22.
I watch too much boxing to buy the hype that one particularly bad PPV sounds the death toll for the entire sport. Just the same, it is probably a good thing the next nationally prominent fight following the embarrassment of last weekend's Hopkins-Dawson fiasco will be featuring the almost always exciting "Filipino Flash" Donaire against Argentinian Narvaez. Nothing is ever sure in sports, but this matchup should bring the thrills one way or another.
I also posted this piece featuring highlights from a media call I sat in on last Thursday with Donaire, his trainer Robert Garcia and his promoter Bob Arum.
This fight will be broadcast live on HBO's Boxing After Dark, starting at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. I will also be blogging the fight live with updates on preliminary bouts and a between round scorecard, right here on Bleacher Report from the press row of historical Madison Square Garden.
Check back throughout the week for updates and breaking information on this exciting New York City matchup.
My own final question was to ask Robert Garcia (Donaire's trainer) how he thinks his younger brother would match up with Yuris Gamboa. He said he hadn't seen Mikey's fight yet: "That's up to Mr. Arum to decide and put together."
I hope Mr. Arum can make it happen.
Donaire has now taken a microphone and is interviewing Arum-"What about a fight with Nonito Donaire and Jorge Arce?" Arum says he looks forward to many exciting fights promoting Donaire.
Donaire and Arum now holding court in press row...Nonito expressing frustration he was unable to finish...says he heard the crowd and accepts the criticism-"This is entertainment, too."
Talking a little bit about cramping up late in the fight. He said he came in at about 129-130.
In summary: Omar Narvaez might not have been the ideal candidate to showcase Nonito Donaire in his first Madison Square Garden appearance. Coming off his sensation knock out of Montiel, the expectations for Donaire were high and the New York crowd clearly came hoping for another highlight reel KO.
Narvaez was not the opponent likely to produce it. It is hard for me to fault him-he did not run at at all. He was in the pocket, in range to return for most of the fight. He simply couldn't get an opening against a larger, quicker opponent.
Donaire now discussing the trouble he had opening up the shell Narvaez put up. Said he didn't think Narvaez really came to fight.
Donaire said he felt "cramped up" after round eight. He is definitely moving up to 122 next.
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Official decision: 120-108 on all three cards.
I'm not sure what a certain section of the fan base thinks is "bull shit" right now. That Donaire merely dominates rather than destroys an undefeated, two-division champ? That Narvaez is unable to get his offense going while still having the "nerve" to remain standing and moving?
Fights over. It was an enjoyable match up between two world class fighters, if not a war for the ages. That's my opinion. I'd watch either fighter again.
Going into the final round it is a shut out on my card. Narvaez is a great defensive fighter and has taken much less damage than you would expect given the way Donaire has let his hands fly-he has deflected, blocked and dodged a lot. But plenty has landed and he has had virtually no offense.
Nice exchange at end of the round for Donaire-facing directly into the press section, he let his hands go as he backed Narvaez into the ropes than avoided Narvez's counter with slick head movement before throwing another combo.
Donaire works the body some this round-gets a warning for a low blow that looked perfectly legal from four rows away. Donaire lands many flush punches and Narvaez manages a couple decent counter shots. He does not wilt, that's for sure.
Still a shut out.
After seven rounds, Donaire is still shutting Narvaez out on my card.
Narvaez is gamely staying in the pocket so he will be in range to counter. But he just doesn't seem quick enough to time Donaire very often. He also is spending so much time trying to minimize his own damage that he really has few opportunities to get offensive.
Donaire clearly seems to be looking for that big left hook now. Just missed with it last round, came even closer with landing an uppercut. Has his right cross well timed at this point and lands it regularly. Working the body, too.
A shut out at this point for Donaire.
Very good round for Donaire. He landed a number of flush punches, even as Narvaez worked heroically to minimize the amount of damage he was taking. Narvaez does not look flustered, but he was clearly hurt during the round.
4425 just shouted out in the press area as the night's attendance.
Another round for Donaire-he lets his hands go more this round. Narvaez does a very good job covering up, dodging and even countering with a hook twice. But overall Donaire continues to push around the highly skilled but much smaller fighter.
Another round for Donaire. It is very hard to see what Narvaez might be able to do to close the distance against the much taller champion.
Not much flush landed in round one-Donaire with a nice hook right before the bell...Narvaez seems to be relying more on a lead right than a jab to try to move his way inside, and is getting nowhere with that.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
And now...the number one ranked 118 pound fighter in the world, The Ring ranked number four pound-for-pound fighter...the Filipino native and California resident...Nonito Donaire!
And here comes the two division champion, undefeated, Argentinian star Omar Narvaez...
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
The main event should be underway shortly. I am watching Roy Jones Jr. get dabbed with make up as I sit here.
Just re-watched Zewski's KO of Henson on a monitor while waiting for the main event. The Quebec native looks like another great candidate for a future main event in Montrebrawl.
In an action-packed four round lightweight clash squeezed in before the main event, Oceanside, NY native Mike Brooks improves to 6-0 with a unanimous decision over Eddie Ramirez of Laredo, TX, who drops to 6(3)-10-1.
Official time of the stoppage is 2:46 of round four. Garcia goes to 27-0 with 23 KO's. There's no doubt he should be fighting for some variety of a world title his next time out.
A right cross by Garcia wobbles Martinez, a follow up floors him. Martinez back up. Garcia opens up with hooks and overhands and drops Martinez again with an overhand.
Martinez back up, Garcia aggressive, landing solid with hooks and overhands and the ref waves it off.
Lead hook by Garcia puts Martinez down near the end of round three. Martinez gets up but Garcia lands two more flush shots within the last 10 seconds.
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