My Sports Calendar is already Marked - The Masters 2013, Donaire vs. Rigondeaux on April 14, 2013

I have marked my sporting calendar for April 14, 2013 because it is the Masters and Donaire vs. Rigondeaux fight.

I am looking forward to the said date because it will be the final round of the 2013 Masters Golf Tournament and the Manila time coverage of the WBO/WBA junior featherweight title unification bout between our own Nonito Donaire Jr. vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux.

I am excited about seeing the final round of The Masters 2013 live free online courtesy of CBSSports.com and Masters.com as reported by Mashable here. It would be a blast as a golf fan to watch the drama that often unfolds during the final day of The Masters, culminating with the wearing of the green jacket by the champion. Tiger Woods chances of getting his 5th green jacket and closing in on Jack Nicklaus reverred major championships record of 14 grand slams will add to the things to look forward to in this year's edition of the tournament at Augusta.

As for the Donaire vs. Rigondeaux boxing match, I think that Rigondeaux's record is as imposing as pronouncing his name. Although Nonito's momentum and drive to follow on Pacquiao's greatness will eventually, I pray, lead to a victory and a celebration on our country. A knock-out will surely elevate Donaire among the all time greats.

As a fellow sports fan, what other dates in this year's sporting calendar you already marked and are excited to witness?

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Nonito Donaire Jr KO Montiel, Now WBC & WBO Bantamweight King

I really did not intend to watch the Donaire vs. Montiel fight because I did not want to sit thru tons of commercials from advertisers. But as my luck would have it, I was able to witness Nonito Jr. Donaire's spectacular knock-out of Fernando Montiel in the 2nd round of their bantamweight title fight.

Nonito Donaire Jr. KOs Fernando Montiel
Wins WBC & WBO Bantamweight Titles
Photo by: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Taken today from ESPN/Boxing

When I went down to have a look, it was already in the second round, while I was waiting for my turn to use the bathroom. Montiel connected on a right to the head of Montiel when Donaire connected with a wicked left hook that floored Montiel to the canvass.

Perhaps Montiel's mind is fighting thru the pain that his body did what looked like involuntary spasm. He was able to beat the count of the referee. But when the fight was resumed, Montiel was obviously not in his best condition to continue. Donaire connected with another left until the referee mercifully ended the fight.

And we filipino's have another boxing world champion in Nonito Donaire Jr.. He know holds both the World Boxing Council (WBC) and (WBO) Bantamweight title belts.

This spectacular win of Donaire will definitely increase his stock and his boxing pay. What I really liked afterwards was how Donaire thanked the Filipino fans rooting for him in the arena.

Great win, Nonito! Keep it up.



* Nonito Donaire solo photo from Wikipedia.

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Nonito Donaire Jr. vs. Fernando Montiel, Who will be left Standing?

Tomorrow will be the bantamweight clash between our own Nonito Donaire Jr. against Fernando Montiel of Mexico, about mid day here in the Philippines. I am among those praying for an action-packed bout and, of course, a win for Donaire.

Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. vs. Mexican Fernando Montiel

Donaire is taller by 3 inches and has a longer reach by almost two inches over Montiel. But as Pacquiao proved against Margarito, speed trumps such physical advantages. Though sports bettors favor Donaire, Montiel is much more experienced and comfortable on this weight class and has knocked out more foes than Donaire, 33 - 17.

If previous press releases are to be believed, Donaire has improved a lot and a spectacular win over will move him closer to be the heir-apparent of Pacquiao.

And I hope that true to his words, Donaire will not just box around Montiel but give us a toe-to-toe fight. Legends are created by those boxers who give boxing fans a thrill of lifetime in the tradition of Morales-Barrera & Corrales-Castillo tiffs.

Go, Donaire and beat Montiel!

Image taken from here and here.

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