Donaire will stage comeback soon—Palace

MANILA, Philippines – Despite being knocked out by Jamaican boxer Nicholas Walters, Malacanang on Sunday said it is certain that Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. will stage a comeback soon.

“Knowing him to be a highly determined and resilient fighter, we are confident he will soon return to the comeback trail and regain a boxing championship,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message to media.

Donaire was knocked out by an undefeated Walters during the sixth round of their fight held in California on Sunday morning (Manila time).

The boxer said Walters deserved to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title.

“Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire fought well but lost to a better fighter, Nicholas Walters,” Coloma admitted.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Fallen Donaire vows to ‘come back and do better’

MANILA, Philippines — Like the other fallen boxing champions before him, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. vowed Sunday a comeback.

Shortly after losing his WBO super bantamweight title to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux by unanimous decision on Sunday (Manila time), Donaire took his thoughts to Twitter.

“I just want to thank God for keeping me safe, my guardian angels for protecting me, my Team for standing behind me, and my fans for their support,” he said in a tweet (@FilipinoFlash).

“I tried to give my all and push the fight but we’ll be back. I’ll come back and do better,” he added. “For now, I congratulate Rigondeaux.”

Donaire managed to rock the former two-time Olympic gold medalist, sending him to the canvas in the 10th round — the only knockdown of the fight. But Rigondeaux was able to recover quickly.

The judges all scored in favor of Rigondeaux, 114-113, 115-112, 116-111, paving way for the WBO/WBA super bantamweight division unification.

The Filipino champion, who protected his swollen right eye in the 12th round, saw his 12-year, 30-fight winning streak halted.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Donaire, Rigondeaux make weight for unification bout in New York

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bet Nonito  Donaire Jr. and Guillermo Rigondeaux made weight Saturday morning (Manila time) for their WBO and WBA super bantamweight unification bout set on Sunday.

Donaire tipped the scales at 121.6 pounds while Rigondeaux at 121.5, both under the 122-pound limit. The two champions clash before an expected sell-out crowd at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), voted Fighter of the Year for 2012, tries to add the WBA crown of Cuban Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Donaire wins via unanimous decision over Mathebula

MANILA, Philippines — Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire settled for a unanimous decision over Jeffrey Mathebula to unify the WBO and IBF world titles Sunday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The Judges had it 117-110, 118-109 and 119-108.

Donaire floored Mathebula with a crushing left hook in the fourth round but the South African managed to beat the count and was saved by the bell.

The four-division champion Donaire, who gave up four inches in height, looked for the kill in the ensuing rounds but Mathebula surprisingly was able to recover and force the decision.

Donaire racked up his 28th straight win. He hasn’t lost since Rosendo Sanchez beat him via unanimous decision in March 10, 2001.

Donaire, who improved his record to 29-1 with 18 knockouts, rocked Mathebula anew in the fifth with solid lefts.

Mathebula tried to fight from the outside to exploit his size advantage and had some moments when he was able to connect.

source: sports.inquirer.net