Ringside Boxing Report: Bernard Dunne vs. Damian David Marchiano

Bernard Dunne’s rehabilitation continued Saturday night in Dublin’s National Boxing Stadium. A near full house greeted the “Irish Rover” in his second return to the ring since the traumatic ordeal against Kiko Martinez eleven months ago. The atmosphere was jovial all night. Fans were treated with the ringside presence of Matthew Macklin, who contributed greatly to the festive mood surrounding the events.

Dunne’s entrance greatly overshadowed opponent Damian David Marchiano’s modest introduction to the Irish audience. The Argentine appeared unfazed by his lack of support however and rather than merely waiting in his corner, he prowled the ring, looking threatening.

Upon entering the arena, Dunne’s appearance was an immediate point of speculation. His entrance garb left only his arms exposed, but they seemed more muscular than in previous outings. He seemed to have grown, his chest and abdomen appearing stronger than in previous bouts and his visage not as gaunt as before.

When the fighters were brought together, Dunne, although supposedly only an inch taller, was evidently the bigger man. Marchiano, a sturdy, rugged looking fighter was notably smaller, yet seemed unperturbed by the Irish man’s imposing figure. As referee Emille Tiedt administered his final instructions, the crowd roared its support of Dunne, every voice audibly contributing to a formidable battle cry.

As the action got underway, the fight did not match the crowd’s enthusiasm. Dunne carefully placed his feet defensively and planted his jab on the forehead of Marchiano repeatedly. The first round saw little variation, Dunne occasionally following up with a cross or hook, completely dominating the opening session with his superior reach and foot movement.

One would have speculated that this was a tentative opening from Dunne had he not made it clear that this was the tactic he wished to employ. Respectful applause heralded the closure of the opening session and the crowd descended into near silence between rounds.

As the second opened, the fighters did little to inspire the crowd with a particularly low output of punches. Dunne, content to establish the range of his jab, provided little excitement and Marchiano was reduced to stalking without throwing by Dunne’s admirable footwork. The round was highlighted with Dunne slipping and quickly falling to the canvas. Marchiano rushed forward hand cocked as if to spear his fallen opponent but Tiedt was on hand to step between the two.

The round was punctuated with Dunne flurrying to the body with hooks, allowing the crowd some source of lively entertainment. And so the fight progressed, with Dunne artfully evading all of Marchiano’s attempts at an attack, whilst whistling his jab through the Argentine’s guard. The crowd lent their voices well to the spectacle and every jab, combination or slip by Dunne was awarded with sporadic applause.

Round six however, did provide a talking point for all fans. Dunne seemed to open the second half of the fight with a purpose. The look in his eyes betrayed him; he would have dearly liked to present his fans a stoppage victory. Mid-way through the round, Dunne used a left hook to stagger Marchiano. The stony faced South American looked disorganised and Dunne half-committed himself to finishing him.

In doing so, Marchiano managed to land just about his only punches of the round, two winging hooks that grazed Dunne’s guard and forehead. Marchiano, obviously feeling the lingering effects of Dunne’s left hook, staggered backward to the ropes. A hesitant Dunne kept his distance, only to be met with the sight of Marchiano beating his chest and waving him in.

Dunne opted to stay on the outside with his jab and the fight resumed form, albeit with Dunne exerting a greater pace and sinking a hook just above Marchiano’s hip with regularity.

The latter half of the fight served as the reinforcement of the hypothesis presented in the first half; Marchiano did not belong in the same ring as Bernard Dunne. His advances were never threatening, his offence was reduced to rubble due to Dunne’s jab and his defence was virtually non-existent. Dunne had well and truly mastered his international visitor, perhaps even more so than Marchiano’s previous suitor, Abner Mares.

The final round was perhaps the most interesting of the fight. In terms of action, it was no more spectacular than any of the nine rounds that had preceded it, but what was interesting was that we, the audience, got an insight into the mind of Bernard Dunne.

Desperate to inspire a brawl in which he would have a chance of landing. Marchiano implored Dunne to stand toe-to-toe, goading him by beating his heart, smiling when hit and waving Dunne in. Dunne, unimpressed by this display, responded in kind, gesticulating after jabbing Marchaino and visibly expressing admiration of his own work.

Although it had been Marchaino that had started the battle of the body language, Dunne was far more masterful with his usage and one was reminded of Floyd Mayweather’s display against Carlos Baldomir in a welterweight title fight a couple of years ago.

In that situation, Mayweather was lambasted for “kicking a man while he was down, thoroughly beaten.” As this crossed my mind, several murmurs concurring with my own sentiments were heard among the ringside spectators. As the fight closed, it was evident that this had been a complete domination. Some voiced their disappointment that Dunne had never been able to physically master the durable Argentine, but in truth, there is little more a boxer could be asked.

The question is then raised. Having dominated the level of competition he has been served with, will Dunne now progress? He had been rated tenth in the Ring’s world rankings before his loss to Martinez and one wonders whether this win, along with his victory of Felix Machado, are enough to allow him near or equal status again.

The current European Champion, Rendall Munroe, the man who beat Martinez, is said to be a difficult option due to his ties with Frank Maloney and Sky Television. A shot at the WBA Champion, Celestino Caballero, has been mentioned, but rumours abound that Dunne opted out of that shot, said to be offered for October, because he didn’t feel ready.

How will Dunne progress? It is impossible to know based on the quality of opposition, or lack there of, which he has met. He is certainly not yet on par with Israel Vasquez, Rafael Marquez, Steve Molitor or the aforementioned Caballero.

I must admit that having attended the fight with expectation and optimism, I left the National Stadium with as many questions as I have answers. It is impossible to establish, with this level of competition, whether or not Dunne has amended the problems, which saw him demolished by Martinez. I will follow this career with interest. Soon we will find out all the answers.