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Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire share ‘unique’ achievement

Posted: October 21st, 2009 | By David Isaacson


Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire share a unique achievement. They are the only Filipino fighters to have beaten South African boxers in big fights – and there have been several such bouts between pugilists from these two nations.

Pacquiao beat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF junior-featherweight title in 2001, and Donaire defended his IBF flyweight crown against Moruti Mthalane late last year. Both won by TKO in the sixth round!

Nonito Donaire

Nonito Donaire

Yet, just 10 or so years ago, South African fans rated boxers from the Philippines lowly. That’s because of the calibre of fighters that promoters brought out to take on South Africans. In one tournament in the late 1990s all three Filipino boxers failed to survive past the second round, and one writer referred to them as Manila folders! Ernie Alesna lost to Giovanni Pretorius (TKO2), Dennis Sabsal lost to Lindi Memani (TKO2) and in the main fight Eric Jamili lost to IBF minimumweight champion Zolani Petelo (KO1).

But that perception has changed somewhat in the new millennium.

Randy Suico came close to winning in 2004, dropping Mzonke Fana twice in an eliminator for the IBF junior-lightweight title, but he lost on a split decision.

Florante Condes, nicknamed “Little Pacquiao”, travelled to East London in June this year to face Nkosinathi Joyi in an eliminator for the IBF minimumweight title. He came with much experience and a good reputation, but on the night he was simply no match for Joyi, who is arguably South Africa’s best fighter right now. To his credit Condes went the distance.

Wyndel Janiola took on Mhikiza Myekeni in 2003 and lost on points. Eric Barcelona has travelled here a few times, losing to Silence Mabuza, Mbwana Matumla (who is actually from Tanzania) and most recently Simphiwe Vetyeka, all on points.

Roy Doliguez visited South Africa twice, first losing on points to Hawk Makepula in 2001 and then escaping with a technical draw against Mzukisi Sikali in 2002.

Nowadays South African fans have much respect for Filipino fighters, and they’re eagerly anticipating the Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto fight.

  
 
 

Comments

 

Louie

October 22, 2009 at 4:43 am

The article is misleading; is it that noteworthy and “unique” that only two filipino fighters beat south african fighters? The rest of the article mostly lists filipino cans losing to south african cans. This is all true, but you forget the bottom line. These two fighters’ unique achievements can hardly be matched by south africa’s unmemorable fighters.

 

Viel Mervic

October 22, 2009 at 5:01 am

Dude, why are you using Pacquiao’s popularity for the enhancement of the image of your South African fighters? And about your article, there is no actual achievement in beating South African boxers, really. Even though I thank the South Africans for being fans of Pacquiao and Donaire and other Filipino boxers, please stop using their popularity now that they are in the extreme boxing spotlight. By the way, some of the boxers you mentioned in the 1990s are really Manila folders. Why? Because in that tournament in South Africa, they handpicked these guys for the sole purpose of being demolished, they just used these Filipino boxers to boost their careers, Filipino boxers who are trying to earn money the hard way for their family even though they knew they will lose, as long as they earn enough money, they took it. Got it?

 

Pacquiao vs Cotto

October 22, 2009 at 5:12 am

Regardless of the nationalities, they are the Champs!

 

tenk2wise

October 22, 2009 at 5:54 am

this article is misleading, all of those fighters mentiond here are not the best in the philippines…they are class B fighters. Boxers from africa is not known in boxing world, they are not the caliber of a filipino fighters. Filipinos went to africa and lost via controversial descision and african fighters went to philippines and lost via slaughtering!

 

tenk2wise

October 22, 2009 at 6:02 am

with due respect to the african people, south african fighters are not in the caliber of mexicans and filipino fighters!

 

milagros solidarios

October 22, 2009 at 7:14 am

On Nov14 2009, Miguel Cotto will crush manny pacquiao!
Go team Cotto!

 

Avid Boxing Fan

October 22, 2009 at 7:22 am

No disrespect, but South African boxers are not even rated by the rest of the boxing world. Seriously, who the hell recognizes any of the names in your article (Filipinos included)?

 

fightfan

October 22, 2009 at 7:56 am

nonito? who is nonito donaire?

you cannot mention nonito donaire in the context with the pacman

nonito is overrated with huge investment in PR so as to uplift his value

hes nothing.

==========

ciso morales, sonsona, banal, nietes, gorres, these are the real next in line.

nonito is a american citizen, so count him out.

and hes arrogant

 

apogudoy

October 22, 2009 at 8:47 am

Rolando Navarrete beat Cornelius Boza Edwards, a Ugandan (south african continent) for the WBC jr. Fed Weight Crown. Navarrete is the 9th best Featherweight of all time … and he’s from Phils. too (Thanks for this information – of course, Uganda and South Africa are on the same continent, but they are different countries)

 

truely Filipino boxing supporter

October 22, 2009 at 9:55 am

Manny Pacquiao (pambansang kamao) and Nonito Donaire (Filipino flash) represents the Philippines by using thier nicknames for the Filipino people..keep up the good work to both of you ‘coz we are here to support you always.

 

mang godo

October 22, 2009 at 2:39 pm

you are right, sir.
these two fighters are unique in achievements by beating african boxers, that’s why they are champions.
flash elorde beat love allotey way back then, he was from ghana if i am right.

before the ascension of pacquiao as world class boxer, filipino boxers are not that good but now they are getting better because they want to be another pacquiao but that cannot be duplicated.

african boxers are good but i think they also lack nutrition growing up to build power and strength just like our pinoy boxers exception of course is manny pacquiao.
the way africans are built they are more to running, light.
nice to read article from johannesburg. also captivated by pacquiao bug.
good point.

 

fil79

October 22, 2009 at 6:38 pm

No offense to the south african people and their boxers but I think they are not on the same level as Filipino boxers. The Philippines have already produced 30 plus World champs in boxing starting way back with Pancho Villa winning the flyweight title back in the 1920′s. How many world champs has south africa(the country) produced so far?

 

cembomakati

October 23, 2009 at 4:20 am

Randy suico clearly was robbed in africa..He knocked Fana dow,the judges helped him to win.After that Fana FOught Barrera in 2 embarrassing rounds.WTF.

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  • About

    At the height of his sporting prowess, David Isaacson could be seen every Saturday afternoon climbing the stairs to the upper gallery of Newlands. An all-round sportsman in his younger days - he was equally awful at cricket, soccer, athletics, swimming, table tennis, tennis, judo, cycling, hockey, basketball, volleyball and touch rugby - David quickly learnt that it was much easier (and far less painful) to be an armchair critic. As a journalist he has covered three Olympic Games, infuriated several sports administrators, reported on numerous other events and irritated Butana Komphela.
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