MANILA, Philippines ? It seems that the boxing world didn’t see Nonito Donaire Jr.’s 2nd round knockout win, over Fernando Montiel, coming.
Neither did Manny Pacquiao.
According to ABS-CBN News North America correspondent Bev Llorente, Pacquiao missed witnessing how Donaire toppled his Mexican foe as he was late for the Mandalay Resorts fight.
“Manny Pacquiao was supposed to [go to the] fight but he was too late already because it was too short. It was 25 seconds in the ring when the referee called it a TKO,” Llorente said Sunday via phone patch on ANC’s Headlines.
Donaire threw a right hook at Montiel, knocking him down in the second round.
Montiel struggled to stand up but fell once more.
The “Filipino Flash” attacked his defenseless opponent again, prompting the referee to halt the bout.
With the feat, the 28-year-old Donaire seized from Montiel the the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight crowns.
Donaire has been eyed to follow the footsteps of boxing superstar and compatriot Pacquiao, after stunning earlier the boxing world via a 4th round stoppage against Ukranian Wladimir Sidorenko last December.
Pacquiao himself called Donaire “impressive,” saying that the bantamweight champ may also rise to superstardom.
“Saludo ako at sana ipagpatuloy mo at sana masundan mo ang yapak ko,” he had said.
Meantime, Pacquiao is in the US to promote his bout with “Sugar” Shane Mosley this May.
The Sarangani Congressman has also dropped by the White House to meet with US President Barack Obama last week.
