MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire Jr. needed less than five minutes Saturday night to show that once again he?s ready to take a crack at the world title.
Donaire floored Frenchman Anthony Settoul three times at the Venetian Resort in Macau and wrapped it all up with 1:41 left in the second round.
It was his second straight knockout win since he lost the WBA featherweight crown to Jamaican Nicholas Walters in October last year.
It did not take long for Donaire to get back on track, knocking out Brazilian William Prado at the Araneta Coliseum last March, also inside two rounds.
Two nights ago, Donaire won in similar fashion.
?I?m satisfied because I followed the game plan,? Donaire told www.boxingmirror.com just moments after the sensational win over Settoul. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Meanwhile, Malaca?ang extended yesterday its congratulations to the former five-division world champion.
?Siyempre po, palagi po nating ipinagmamalaki at ipinagbubunyi ang tagumpay ? ang bawat tagumpay ? katulad nitong pinakahuling tagumpay ni Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire ( We?re always proud of every victory made by Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire),? Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in his regular weekend interview over government-run radio station dzRB.
The game plan, according to Donaire, was to use both hands, and be smart and patient inside the ring, especially once he hurts the opponent.
?Usually if I hurt an opponent I?m like a wild animal, I batter him right away but this time I was patient,? said the ?Filipino Flash.?
?When I saw the opening that?s when I caught him with the right hand. I?m happy because I followed my father?s game-plan which was not to be tense,? he said after the fight.
The multi-division (flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight, super-bantamweight and featherweight) world champion hurt the Frechman with both hands.
Donaire has turned into a smarter fighter.
Thousands of miles away, just hours after Donaire?s victory, the reigning WBA super-bantamweight champion from England, Scott Quigg, defended his title against Spain?s Kiko Martinez.
Like Donaire, the 26-year-old Quigg stopped his opponent in less than two rounds at the Manchester Arena and moved up to 31-0.
Quigg, six years younger than Donaire and at 5?8? two inches taller, is also a knockout artist, with 23 under his name.
Donaire is 35-3 as a pro, with 23 knockouts.
This early, there?s talk of a Donaire-Quigg title match later this year, and Top Rank chief Bob Arum said it could take place in Dubai.
Donaire has never backed down from a fight.
?I don?t pick and choose but I?ll study my opponent and I know I could take them,? he told www.boxingmirror.com.
Even Quigg?s trainer, Joe Gallagher, sounded like they want Donaire next.
?It?s all roads leading to Donaire. That?s a huge fight and a name that Quigg is crying out for,? Gallagher told the Digital Journal.? With report from Delon Porcalla
