Filipino Boxer Donaire lost to Rigondeaux

Nonito Donaire from the Philippines lost his superbantamweight championship to Cuba’s Guillermo Rigondeaux via a unanimous decision.

The three judges scored it in favor of the former Olympic gold medalist and World Boxing Association titlist 114-113, 15-112 and 116-111.

In the 10th round Donaire knockdown Rigondeaux when he landed a powerful left that dropped Rigondeaux for the first time in his professional career, but the Cuban came back strong and controlled the last two round to bag the win.

Nonito Donaire win by decision

One might be tempted to dismiss Donaire’s performance against Jeffrey Mathebula on Saturday as so-so because he struggled to find his target much of the fight and failed to put him away. The fact is Donaire (29-1, 18 knockouts) did an excellent job in difficult circumstances. The 5-foot-11 Mathebula is a nightmare of an opponent, one with in impossibly long jab – designed to keep his foe at bay and more all-around ability than might be obvious at first glance. Donaire had to work extremely hard – bobbing, weaving, leaping to get inside Mathebula’s defense and do damage. That he succeeded more than enough to win a one-sided decision and unify the WBO and IBF junior featherweight titles was an impressive accomplishment. Donaire is more than ready for anyone in or near his weight class.

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