Two brothers fighting does not always make it a sibling rivalry. Instead, it produces two impressive victories that could open the gates for more. Brothers Nonito and Glenn Donaire scored impressive victories over their respective opponents before a sold out crowd of 1,275 at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, CA Friday night. The bouts headlined a five bout “Battle of the Rising Stars” card, promoted by All Star Boxing. In the main event, Bantamweight Nonito Donaire faced Ricardo Barrera, who had faced more competition and had power in both hands. That did not deter Nonito, who from the opening bell displayed a dominating performance over his veteran opponent. By the end of the first round, Barrera’s face had swelling underneath his left eye that made it difficult to see. It was the result of Donaire’s strong right hands that found their mark. Donaire also set up a three-punch combination by landing hard left hooks to the body. In the fourth, Barrera trapped Donaire in a corner and began to land hard shots, but a majority were blocked. Later in the round, Donaire established his dominance over his opponent by using his speed to land first. At the end of the fourth, the ringside physician, Pearlman Hicks, advised referee Jerry Cantu to stop the bout because of the swelling underneath Barrera’s right eye, which by that time was almost shut. Donaire’s technical knockout victory allows him to be the second person to ever stop Barrera, the first being IBF Bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez. After the fight, Donaire gave credit to his opponent. “He is a tough guy with a big heart,” said Donaire, who was signing autographs for the Filipino crowd who were in attendance after the fight. “I was surprised he didn’t go down from my punches. To be the second person after Rafael Marquez to score a knockout over Barrera is an honor because Marquez is such a great fighter. I am very happy with my performance tonight. Donaire, from Castro Valley, CA by way of General Santos City, Philippines, improves to 8-1, 6 KO’s. Barrera, from Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, drops to 16-5-1, 13 KO’s. Flyweight Glenn Donaire dominated Leonardo Castillo to win a six round unanimous decision. During a competitive first round, Castillo landed hard left hooks to the head of the taller Donaire. Both would throw good combinations in the center of the ring. Towards the end of the first, a hard left hook to the head by Donaire knocked down Castillo. Castillo would survive until the bell. Donaire would use the second to find his range and began to rip had shots to the head and body of Castillo. Donaire would be patient enough to wait for any opening and land hard right hands to the head of Castillo. Castillo stayed competitive in the bout, bloodying the nose of Donaire in the third. Castillo would attempt to do whatever it took to get inside of the reach of Donaire. The pace slowed down in the latter half of the fight, although Donaire continued to dominate the fight. Donaire attempted to break down Castillo further, but the resilient Castillo still pressed forward. All three judges scored the bout 60-53 in favor of Donaire. Fightnews.com scored the bout 59-54. After the fight, Donaire was neither impressed or disappointed in his performance. “I wish I could have down better tonight,” said Donaire after the fight. “I wasn’t tired, but I couldn’t react the way I wanted to in this fight. I had to lose seven to eight pounds in the last two days. Maybe that was what affected my performance.” Donaire continued, “I weighed 114 in my last fight. Tonight, I weighed in at 109. His (Castillo) style didn’t bother me, but I really feel that the drop in weight affected me. The punch I knocked him down with wasn’t even a hard punch. All I have to say is that it will be a different performance for my next fight.” Donaire, from Castro Valley, CA by way of General Santos City, Philippines, improves to 12-1, 7 KO’s. Castillo, from Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico, drops to 4-1, 3 KO’s.
