Manzanares Triumphs at the Fair with Two Striking Blows

Manzanares dazzled at the San Juan and San Pedro Fair on Monday, cutting four ears from bulls of La Ventana del Puerto and Puerto de San Lorenzo. The Manzanares of old returned with the sword, sealing two performances based on technique and mastery of the ring. His depth was evident, especially on the right horn; on the left, both opponents lacked the quality for the Alicante bullfighter's style.

Morante fought slowly, enjoying himself, with simple depth on the first of his lot. He refrained with the fourth as, according to the Cigarrero bullfighter, it showed signs of lameness. His assistants tried several times to get the bull to fall, but the president kept it in the ring. Morante made a brief finishing performance and removed it. The crowd booed the president.

Cayetano bid farewell to Alicante. However, many spectators left the arena after Manzanares finished fighting. Cayetano was willing, but it was clear this is his farewell season.

He exudes a Manzanares-like spirit inherited from father to son. If the father was his bullfighter, so is his successor. He narrates afternoons of triumph. He travels where possible to appreciate the Alicante matador's bullfighting, devoted to the Holy Face. These current initiatives to see his bullfighter outside Alicante had their prelude in previous decades to follow who, besides in many places of the bullfighting world, was and still is 'A Master in the land'.

He leads the entity with the most bullfighting history in Alicante. He is passionate. He exudes truth. He reasons rightly. He knows the intricacies of bullfighting. He is well-documented. In conversation, he is straightforward. Without duplicity. An old-school bullfighting enthusiast. Controversial at times? Yes. Sincere in his statements? Also. He is Fernando Leyva Camacho, president of the Alicante Bullfighting Club.

Small and lacking strength. Morante shone with the cape, varied. Lanterns, chicuelinas, and a half. All with grace. The lifeless charges marred it. A jab and a jab to the four-year-old that pressed in banderillas.

Old-fashioned bullfighting in the beginning by Morante. Grace in the round bullfighting at medium height. Disarmament in the natural. Returns to round bullfighting, hooking forward and finishing behind the hip. Much more bullfighter than a bull that, moreover, ends up cracked on the boards. Stab. One ear.

Walks out from the pens. A bad omen evident in Manzanares' cape, leaving him with no options. A long, low jab from which the La Ventana bull comes out meek. General confusion in banderillas.

Manzanares draws the bull with the muleta in the first round before Cristalino-17 shows signs of retreating. Knowing this, Manzanares bases his performance near the boards. The rounds follow, especially in the round, so the bull only sees the muleta. A high stab. Two ears.

More lively charges from the third in the first third where it receives a rear jab. And there have been quite a few in this San Juan and San Pedro Fair. Lacks grace, not will, in Cayetano's performance. Rounds, in the round, with a low hand. Without the necessary stillness. Much quantity. Less quality. Perpendicular stab, rear detached, and two descabellos. Silence after warning.

Despite Morante's efforts and his banderillero's dedication, the Puerto bull did not fall. Thus, there was no reason for the desired and longed-for majority request from the public. The president was correct, although spectators only saw Morante with one bull. A pity.

Manzanares shines with the cape. The afternoon belongs to him. Another rear jab to a bull quick in banderillas. The Alicante's right hand draws the Puerto bull into the muleta. The series follow, linked and with a low hand. Less brilliance in the natural where the bull raises its head. Returns to round bullfighting, tempered and deep. Another stab and two more ears that he parades in triumph.

The last of the afternoon only endured one round. Feeling overpowered, like a good meek bull, it refused to follow the muleta. Cayetano, behind it. The bull ahead of Cayetano. The bullfighter, in his farewell to Alicante, given to the populism of the sun. Round of the ring for bull and bullfighter before a jab and rear stab. A warning sounded.