Nonito Donaire UD12 Jeffrey Mathebula
Four division world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire captured his second world title in the super bantamweight division in as many fights with a unanimous decision over tall African challenger Jeffrey Mathebula at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California as seen live on HBO?s Boxing After Dark. Donaire started out quickly in the opening round with his blazing hand speed on full display. The Filipino charge used a high guard in the early rounds that allowed him to stalk his taller opponent in the early going where he landed several hard flush power punches. In the closing moments of Round 4 Donaire landed a cannon ball of a wide, swinging left hook that floored Mathebula hard. To his credit the Brave African was saved by the bell and managed to continue in the bout. In the middle rounds Donaire fought largely with his head down while displaying some brilliant footwork to get in and out of range where he continued to land the noticeably heavier shots in the bout.
Mathebula had his moments late in the bout as he doubled and tippled up his jab but Donaire continued to land the harder shots down the stretch.
Just when it looked like Mathebula was starting to rally late after putting together a few active rounds, Donaire came roaring out in the eleventh using his own jab with frequency for the first time in the fight. Donaire followed up a jab with a big right hand that ? after it landed ? had the African on the complete defensive for the rest of the round where he scarcely threw a punch.
Donaire continued to bring the heat in the twelfth where he spent the majority of the final three minutes chasing his foe around the ring.
After twelve rounds were complete Donaire was ahead on all three cards to improve to 29-1 (18 KOs).
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