Philippines, 29 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE'S DAD: "JUNJUN WILL BE BACK"


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA (PNA) - Cuban defector Guillermo Rigondeaux outsmarted Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. in nearly all of their 12-round encounter to remain the World Boxing Association super-bantamweight kingpin and at the same time annex his opponent?s World Boxing Organization plum via a clinical unanimous decision victory Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) at the Radio City Music Hall in new York City.

Both fighters came to fight, but the 32-year-iold two-time Olympic Games winner appeared more prepared as he dominated the four-time world champion and the ?Fighter of the Year? honoree last year from the opening bell, except in the 10th round, to emerge at the winning end from the three judges with John Stewart scoring 114-113, Tom Schreck, 115-112, and Julie Lederman, 116-111.

Fighting what his trainer said the ?Cuban boxing way,? the 2-1 underdog Rigondeaux gave Donaire a sign of what was to come right in the opening round when he caught the Filipino by surprise by scoring a strong pair of lefts and the same number of rights that forced the Filipino wobbly to the ropes. He never looked back after that except in the fourth canto when the soon-to-be father with wife Rachel connected with a powerful right near the end of the round, which turned out to be the deposed WBO champ?s best showing at that point.

Rigondeaux resumed his charge in the next five sessions, but in the 10th, Donaire looked to have sent his challenger to the canvas at starting the round which referee Benny Estevez ruled a slip. As if to prove it was a real knockdown, Donaire slipped through a clean left hook to the face in the ensuing action forcing the ring official to issue a mandatory eight-count.

Donaire?s right eye was almost close after the fight with a big lump under it, even as his handlers tried to contain the blood oozing from his nose.

?Jun turned out a one-dimensional fighter in that fight,? Donaire?s estranged father Nonito ?Dodong? told this writer in a telephone interview after the showdown. ?He waited 12-rounds long for a one knockout punch that never came. He forgot to engage.?

?Malungkot kami siyemnpre ng Mommy nya kahit nagkaroon kami ng diperensya,? Dodong, who is in Manila in a vacation, said. ?Wala namang magulang na nakatitiis sa anak. Ang mga kapatid nya, nalulungkot din.

Iisa naman ang dugong nananalaytay sa ugat naming lahat,? Dodong assured though that his prodigal son will come back fighting to regain his title or move to a heavier division. Kilala ko si Jun, kasama naman ako sa career nya noong una. Babalik siya.?

?I apologize,? Donaire exclaimed during the traditional post-fight press conference. ?I wanted to deliver. I go stupid during the last two rounds. I didn?t do my job.?

?Donaire admitted his fault, saying, ?I didn?t use my jab and go to my left. I have no excuse, he beat me tonight. I gave it all I got. I never studied the fight which I should have.?

?This is boxing,? Rigondeaux, for his part, said. ?I got him right away. He didn?t hurt me. ?As I told you before, I would do my job and I did. I made him look bad, you can?t win by landing one shot.?

Rigondeaux, otherwise known as ?El Chacal,? improved to 12-0 although for only the fourth time in his young pro-career, he failed to knockdown an opponent. That was Donaire?s second loss in his 33 pro-fights spiked by 20 KOs. He has not lost since March 2001.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
    , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PH football in group C, G
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 28 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • 'The Fight Is Signed': Hearn Declares Joshua vs. Fury Secured as Mind Games Begin with 'Landlord' Spoof
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Chezka Centeno wins 3rd world title by ruling the Oneida WPA Women's World 8-Ball Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • CARE conducts 6.5mile open water in Davao Gulf
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Mise, Arellano rule Davao-Japan golfest
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Berlanga, Hitchins Win in Zuffa Boxing New York Event
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • World champion Sanzhar Tashkenbay to headline International Boxing Day in Astana
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Cyrud "The Ferocious" Cabautan Defeats Michael "D' Power Fist" Diaz in Olympus Rising by TWC Amateur MMA Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • USA Boxing Earns Four Wins at 2026 Capri Boxing Cup
    , Mon, 27 Jul 2026
  • Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • 'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.