CASUAL boxing observers who have not yet heard of Michael "Bruce Lee" Domingo will probably do a double-take when they realize he is actually an ALA pug, with a record of 39 wins, 14 losses and 17 knockouts.
But that record is actually quite deceptive as Domingo is just as skilled as his more celebrated stablemates.
Hardcore boxing fans are all too familiar with how he derailed the erstwhile undefeated Mexican, Miguel Roman, during the Boxing World Cup in August 2007.
Or how he readily handled former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin in eight rounds and looked quite comfortable in there against a renowned veteran with a
fearsome record of 73 wins with 49 knockouts.
In his last fight, Domingo was supposed to be a bump on the road for world-beater Jose Navarro who was smarting from a split decision loss to Christian Mijares.
Unperturbed, Michael finished off a tired Navarro in eight rounds.
UNDERDOG. Michael seems to relish his underdog role to the fullest and thrives in making more accomplished opponents pay for overlooking him.
But with his current eight-fight win streak peppered with five stoppages, Michael is fully aware that his opponents are already according him the respect he rightfully deserves.
This Sunday he will be facing Luis Melendez, the last man to have fought Z Gorres before the latter succumbed to a career ending infraction.
While I'm quite uncomfortable with the revenge angle in the build up to the fight, as we all know that Melendez could not have intentionally wished such a fate to befall his opponent, still it would be interesting to see how Domingo reacts to facing the boxer who retired his friend and stablemate.
KING KHAN. So is Amir Khan the next big superstar in boxing? Methinks more confirmation is needed.
While he looked impressive against Paulie Malignaggi last Sunday, the latter is undoubtedly more sizzle than steak.
The best name on Paulie's hit list is the slipping Juan Diaz and the "Magic Man" is nowhere near anybody's pound-for- pound list.
But mind you, Khan is slowly getting there and the way he fought Malignaggi demonstrates the level of maturity the kid has acquired.
Doubters still question his chin too, and the feather-fisted Malignaggi with only 5 stoppages in 27 wins, was never a threat.
MAYORGA. I was really looking forward to it, but sadly it wasn't meant to be. For now.
You remember Ricardo Mayorga, don't you? That cigarette-smoking, beer-swigging bad ass from Nicaragua who once pancaked Vernon Forrest in three rounds?
Imagine him in a mixed-martial arts bout and you have an idea why the injunction that Don King secured which led to the cancellation of the fight card in North Carolina last weekend has really got me bummed.
The string-haired promoter was able to beat the two- hour deadline by delivering $1 million in cold hard cash stuffed inside two duffel bags.
Aren't you glad Don King isn't running for an elective position here in the Philippines?
rCONGRATS. To Sabah Fadai who represented Cebu at the recently conducted ESPN Starworld Asian Martial Combat in Singapore.
Making Cebu proud, the talented Fadai defeated Yang Fei who represented of UMAC/China via referee stoppage in 2minutes and 36 seconds.
LAST ROUND. It's on my fellow SAC member, the talented Goldie Lebumfacil who recently celebrated her birthday. Cheers!
(jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)