Omar Andres Narvaez vs. Felipe Orucuta II & Jorge Heiland vs. Mateo Veron IV RBR

Round 5

Narvaez is letting his back hit the ropes more as he circumnavigates and darts in with his flurries of activity off the right jab. Narvaez manages to duck the Orucuta left jab every time he comes in but is found increasingly by the 1-2 on the body on the way out. Narvaez complains of a headbutt. No action taken by the ref except allowing him a moment. Narvaez circles into the ropes where Orucuta bangs on his upraised arms with the 1-2. Narvaez slaps him across the face with a counter left and hops out to one side.

10-9 Narvaez but close and he seems a little flustered and eager to stall the action.

50-45 Narvaez

 

Round 6

Narvaez is backed into a corner, leaving his right jab out like a pike meant for Orucuta to impale himself giving pursuit. Instead the challenger reins up and starts pumping his 1-2 at Narvaez's head, mixing in long left hooks around the guard, getting through if only with glancing contact. Narvaez is slinking along the ropes, popping short counter right jabs and looking to slap the left up at Orucuta's cheek when he can.

10-9 Orucuta, close.

59-55 Narvaez

 

Round 7

Narvaez is standing in place and slouching over in wait, countering with big forward shrugs of his shoulder and windmilling counters at Orucuta as he comes in jabbing the body and whipping long rights at the head. Narvaez complains of a headbutt while Orucuta is bearing down on him in the middle of the ring, their heads indeed bumping as Narvaez himself ducks and then springs up with Orucuta breathing down his neck working the low jab. 1-2 by Orucuta, just skimming the tops of Narvaez's shoulders. Counter lefts galore by Narvaez, even without moving his feet. Toney style.

10-9 Narvaez

69-64 Narvaez

 

Round 8

Narvaez is getting touched with the long right but ducking and bending over to either side to avoid getting hit more than once per combo, and giving Orucuta a receipt with the overhand left every time. Narvaez is using the whole ring now, shuffling quickly around the perimeter, back on the ropes, flashing counters with both hands as Orucuta charges in with backhanded jabs and hard 1-2s into the air or slamming down on the shoulders.

10-9 Narvaez

79-73 Narvaez

 

:nod

All footage of Donaire vs. Narvaez and Donaire vs. Nishioka ought to just be thrown in a bonfire, lest people get the wrong idea about either of those great champions. (neither of whom should ever be judged by their Donaire performances, and neither of whom should have ever pissed on their legacies by having fought him...though it was a career payday for both so you can see why they did it...)