MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire Jr. paid a hefty price for trying to live up to his billing as an exciting fighter. He threw caution to the wind and tried to engage Guillermo Rigondeaux in their WBO/WBA superbantamweight unification title duel at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City yesterday morning (Manila time).
Failing to pin down an elusive target, Donaire was raked with sporadic straights and hooks coming forward. As the aggressor, he deserved to win more rounds than what the three judges awarded but because the Cuban was just too difficult to hit, the outcome went the other way.
Donaire displayed his power in the 10th round when he floored Rigondeaux with a left straight from close quarters. Rigondeaux got up to weather the storm as the Filipino Flash just couldn?t deliver the coup de grace. The Cuban survived the assault and sealed the verdict by taking the last two stanzas. A left straight to Donaire?s right eye early in the 12th proved to be damaging and curtailed the Filipino?s bid for a strong finishing kick. Instead of pressing the action, Donaire protected his eye with the right hand and fought Rigondeaux in the final minutes with only his left. It would?ve been the perfect opportunity to knock out the Cuban who charged out of his corner to engage in a dramatic change of tactics, perhaps to ensure a victory. But with Donaire?s eye badly swollen, the Filipino couldn?t oblige.
Donaire, 30, said he thought the knockdown was enough to at least salvage a draw. He admitted it was a close fight but thought he won because all Rigondeaux did was to run. Donaire said he was considering to move up in weight but if there?s a chance of a rematch, he?ll stay in the 122-pound division for his revenge.
Donaire said he got careless in the last round when Rigondeaux connected with the blow to his eye. ?I didn?t wobble but it impaired my vision,? said Donaire, adding it was the first time he had ever been struck by a blow that caused double vision. He said it was a mistake for lacking concentration.
Other mistakes that Donaire said he made were not going to the body, failing to throw more combinations and looking to score a knockout with one punch. Although humbled, Donaire was not shamed by the defeat. Rigondeaux didn?t show the heart of a champion while Donaire did. The Cuban literally ran away with the belts but didn?t earn the fans? respect for refusing to stand his ground. Dean’s Corner ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
Donaire is far from finished as a fighter. His wife Rachel is expecting their first child in July and he doesn?t intend to get ready for another fight until after the birth of baby boy Jarel. If promoter Bob Arum and manager Cameron Dunkin agree, he?d like to fight in September and December to pick up three paychecks this year.
After winning, Rigondeaux said he?ll never hide and duck from anyone to prove he?s the undisputed 122-pound champion. He did the opposite in the ring with Donaire ? he hid, ducked and ran. It?s strange that in professional boxing, sometimes staying out of harm?s way beats being aggressive.
Only last Thursday, Donaire was cited as Fighter of the Year 2012 by the Boxing Writers Association of America in its 88th annual awards rites in New York City. He took home the Sugar Ray Robinson trophy for the recognition. Donaire deserved it for mowing down four opponents in four title fights last year.
The loss to Rigondeaux was only Donaire?s first in his last 31 fights. Since last year, the Philippines has suffered one setback after another in boxing with three world champions dethroned ? Manny Pacquiao, Brian Viloria and now, Donaire. Left with belts are WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes and IBF lightflyweight titlist Johnriel Casimero.
Promoter Michael Aldeguer recently said he was informed by WBO president Paco Valcarcel that interim WBO minimumweight king Merlito Sabillo will be officially elevated to full championship status next month when Moises Fuentes of Mexico vacates the 105-pound throne to invade the lightflyweight division as the No. 1 contender.
