People talk about consistency. Ok let's assume martinez gets the edge in all his close fights, best case scenario. Are wins over cintron, williams and pavlik really that much better than wins over darch, concepcion, maldonado, sidorenko and montiel? It's open for debate obviously a quick look at the polls says that much. I agree that donaire hasn't fought the highest level since darch, but that's only in comparison with his high rankin.
Well I guess most people's list are pretty much 1. Pac/May 2. Pac/May 3. Martinez/Donaire 4. Martinez/Donaire 5. Marquez
Its subjective but as much as I'm not a fan of Nonitos style his skillset are pretty impressive. He is as complete a fighter as one can be. He has a slick boxer style who has devastating power in both hands much like Roy jr. And in addition to that he is a thinker in the Mayweather mold. He is also unique that he processes info very fast and adjusts instantly whilst Floyd would take half the fight. Donaire was alredy baiting Montiel in round two and he does the most subtle things like torquing his body and rolling with punches and you wont see it til its in slow-mo. He has superb skills and while he seem to have a strong chin, I'd like to see him in a war and see how much heart he has.
I have Marinez narrowly ahead. With most men on earth walking around between 150-200 lbs, the available talent pool in the welter to cruiser weight divisions is incredibly large. Simply put, there are a lot more good to great fighters available at 160 than 118. I think Martinez has, by definition, proven himself against better competition by virture of a deeper resume.
I did consider this comparison earlier. However let me say this. Until roy jones fall from grace, noone thought of him as an amazing athlete with not much in technical understanding department. Whilst in his prime it will be very hard to tell if donaire is just athletic or skilled. It could be he is just too quick atm. I hope not because I love the idea of living through the era of a true atg. But it's hard to say right now. Once his athleticsm goes will if still be as effective?
No Donaire is actually more of a thinking fighter. He is athletic but no ones near RJJ. Someone posted a couple of videos of him showing/teaching the torque (exact same shot to Montiel) to MMA fighter Mark Munoz. There was also an older pre Sidorenko video with him showing a couple of tricks to seckbach, and he was demonstrating how he reads a fighter instantaneously even in exchanges. Some good stuff. He has that rare combination power/speed/slickness/cerebral and as I say if he has the Sergio/Paul 1 type of war and still pulls through, he will be fighter of this decade.
Martinez for sure! A win over Pavlik, whom Martinez was suppose to lose; a KO of the year against P. Williams and his fight with Cintron that he clearly got robbed. Nonito needs to fight better competition and be more active and he will surpass Martinez. Maybe if Nonito fights Abner/Agbeko winner and Koki Kameda and wins, he will be ranked maybe on 2nd place/3rd place. Martinez has Williams (2), Pavlik, Cintron and now fighting Dzin (if he wins), that is a GOOD list of fighters either way you look at it that Martinez has fought back to back.
a guy who was already lost his chin in the first fight..(williams) nonito KTFO Montiel, Darchinyan. Nuff said. Pavlik makes everyone look good..unfortunately. he's the punching bag of the middleweight division.
I can see Nonito dominating for five or more years. I mean look at guys like Sergio, hes still competitive at his age and theres no reason for a guy like Donaire who doesnt get punished alot not to have competitive longevity. You dont need a whole decade of domination to win the award.