The guy has rightly received a good deal of criticism for the opponents he's fought since Darchinyan but the 2 fights hes lined up look very good to me. Sidorenko is a very decent fighter, good wins over poonsowat and agbeko (I had it as a draw though) and he pushed moreno very close twice which is good considering how tricky he is to fight. However, stylistically I think he's made for donaire if he comes in behind that high guard. Its not the best defence and the counter straight rights + left uppercuts Donaire likes to throw should work well. However, if he uses lateral movement like he did late on vs Agbeko, I can see him causing problems for Donaire as he's effective in getting in with shots and out again quickly. Not sure whats happening with Montiel after the leg injury hes got but Im really hoping they fight in February. Montiel seems so much more comfortable at bantamweight where he moves better and seems to punch harder as well. But I think Donaire can beat him if he keeps it at range becuase although he cuts the ring off well, Montiel can slow towards the end of fights and as I dont think he'd get Donaire out early, i could see Donaire taking a close 1. What do you guys think?
Watched Donaire v Martinez again last night. Wonderful performance from Donaire showed why he's among the elite on top form. Offensively there's nothing the guy can't do. Defensively he's still got flaws though. Something I think Montiel might be able to exploit with that counter left-hook. Can't wait for that fight if it comes off.
Sidorenko could give him problems as he is the best fighter Donaire has faced in ages, although stylistically Sidorenko is near enough made for Donaire. I'm a big Sidorenko fan, but he is nuts taking this fight. should have stayed at 118lbs and could have ruled IMO.
Sidorenko was at SuperFly last time out, presumed it was at that. Anyways if I was Sidorenko's team I'd be looking for Agbeko, Perez, Hasegawa etc.. not Donaire, bad bad match up.
The Montiel fight should be his break out bout. These small guys usually have to go through a few weight classes to get the real recognition they deserve.
I'm a fan of Donaire and he really hasn't been promoted properly. He's got quick punch release and one of the best shots in the game, this weird, very deceptive left hook come uppercut. Btw, we have the defence lawyer of Nonito on this very site in our esteemed friend, Johna...:yep
Good punching form and seems to have a variety of tricks, but has fought no one of note since Vic, and IMO, is the most overrated 'Elite' level fighter currently operating. He has the opportunity to change my mind, but Vic completely trumped him with his post-Nonito wins IMO. I would hold Vic higher P4P, even if he has looked more hittable than ever in his last two fights.
Nonito's rated on his potential more than his accomplishments. He's great to watch, has every punch in the book and always has an answer for his opponent's own attacks.
I like it. It's a brillient punch. He sets it up, disguises it well, screws and turns it over at the last minute or at the point of contact. He knows exactly what he's doing as well, by the way he uses it sparingly and he looks to have worked on it quite a bit.
:yep i love Cotto for everything he is and represents, the heart and the throwback mentality and his competition, but purely for skillset and talent, Nonito's the boy. He has been horribly mismanaged/promoted as most have said, but his opponents post-darchinyan, although not world beaters, haven't been THAT bad. the six opponents he's fought since Vic were a combined 150-11 when he fought them, and although they weren't big 'names' they weren't as bad as some people have suggested. but i do concede that he should be a huge star now, and as the natural successor to pacman with the filipinos he should have been on his undercards for the last 3 years. criminal when they're both with top rank. he's just a special fighter for me, and he's only going to get better when he knows he's in with elite competition e.g montiel. he's been weight drained and experimenting with his style his last few fights, and still looked a class apart. he's tall and rangey, has the speed, and if anyone does work their way into range he makes them pay big time with the best check hook in the business. his knockout of manuel vargas is one of the single best i've ever seen in a boxing ring. to go orthodox lead left --> southpaw lead right --> orthodox lead left --> southpaw lead right --> orthodox lead left hook/uppercut and knock a guy out cold in the space of about 3 seconds, without losing rhythm or letting him throw a punch in return is something only very special fighters can do IMO... enjoy :good [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeKtPgPHg6s[/ame]
Been watching alot of this guy lately on Utube, quality fighter. The Montiel fight would be a belter... Donaire would beat him though imo.
These next two fights will show us just how good he is. He's looked outstanding since beating Darchinyan but the opposition has not been up to standard. The fight with Montiel is one of the best that can be made in boxing. Lets hope it comes off early next year.