Does Donaire vs. Juarez Belong in the Fight of the Year Conversation?
You'd better believe it.
Donaire, a multi-time world champion, claimed the WBO Super Bantamweight Championship by turning back a gritty and determined challenge from previously unheralded Cesar Juarez via decision on Saturday night in Puerto Rico.
The fight immediately enters into the conversation among the best fights of 2015, even if it didn't seem to be on that path in the early rounds.
Donaire looked sharp to start the fight. He seemed on his way to outclassing Juarez, countering the younger fighter effectively and sending him to the mat twice in Round 4.
But things turned around at the halfway point. Donaire seemed to roll his ankle at the end of Round 6 and was a far less mobile fighter the rest of the way, which gave Juarez opportunities to walk him down and attack with ferocity along the ropes.
The Filipino Flash, who was near the top of the pound-for-pound ranks before losing a wide decision to Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2013, seemed taken back by his younger foe's relentless pressure and unwillingness to back down despite falling far behind early.
The second half of the fight was an exciting, all-action war, giving the fans a reason to demand Juarez again and Donaire a chance to continue his career with another world title, even if his best days are clearly in the rear-view mirror.
It might not be the Fight of the Year, but it's in the discussion, at least.