QUO VADIS NONITO?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 24 Apr 2018
Nonito Donaire failed in his ring tussle on Saturday against Ireland's Carl Frampton with "The Jackal" winning a unanimous decision to grab the interim WBO world featherweight title.
But "The Filipino Flash" didn't show signs of anguish and instead invited his fans to meet and greet him for a "proper goodbye" in a Belfast pub.
The 2012 Fighter of the Year invited his supporters on his social media: "Hey Belfast! It's been an amazing trip. Thank you for your love and support. Before I leave, I'd love to meet you all for a proper goodbye. Meet me at Crown Bar tonight about 8ish!"
This made Donaire earned more respect from Frampton as the Irishman send his reply: "What a guy!"
The 35-year-old four-division world champion cheerfully posed for pictures with die hard aficionados as the Crown Bar was packed with his fight fans to show their esteem for the former top ten pound-for-pound fighter of the world.
Donaire admitted he will likely move down in weight if he intends to continue with his fighting career.
"My team, family, and Ringstar will have a meeting but I think it has already been pre-decided that although I have done my best to gain weight and keep my weight on and strong, it's best I move back down in weight," Donaire was quoted by the Mirror.
Frampton repeatedly showed his admiration for Donaire, despite comnanding the fight, conceding he was hurt in the 11th round as the Filipino went for the kill to seize victory.
"People say power may die towards the end but he hurt me in the 11th. But I've been hit worse," Frampton told Mirror. "I had a simple game plan - use my jab from outside and went I got close, stay close. I started to bully him on the inside."
The two-division world champion however said he was not exhausted during the fight. "I felt fresh. I looked at the ring cards and could see the rounds and in the 10th I felt great, not tired at all."
Frampton dictated the fight and came up with the expectations to grab a unanimous decision win over Donaire at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Frampton won on three official scores of 117-111.
The underdog Donaire started the fight on right track, going after Frampton in the first round, landing some good power punches. But in the later rounds it was a completely different scenario, with Frampton impressing his supremacy on Donaire with his phenomenal boxing ability.
Donaire however made a last-ditch effort and hit Frampton with a barrage of power shots in the eleventh round, considered his best round of the fight, and continued it early in the 12th round. But it seemed he lost steam and Frampton retaliated with a late flurry of blows to end the fight.
The Jackal praised The Flash. "The 11th round I was definitely hurt. I?d like to say what a nice man, Donaire."
?As you saw in the 11th round, Nonito Donaire is a dangerous opponent. I survived the round and stuck to the gameplan. At times, my boxing was beautiful," Frampton told Boxing Scene.
?Donaire was a sharp puncher throughout. I was definitely hurt in the 11th round, people could see it. But champions survive and that?s what I did."
Donare's wife congratulated Frampton. ?This experience, even though it sucks to lose, let?s be honest, it?s a telling story that we don?t belong in the featherweight division,? she said as quoted by Philippine Star. ?It?s better to realize now than getting hurt.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nagoya Nightmare: Naoya Inoue Notches One-Sided Decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Inoue’s Philippine Connection: Which Pinoy Super Bantamweight Could Challenge “The Monster?”
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to the Finals at the World Boxing Championships Perez Set to Face Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-Wen Huang for 54-Kilogram World Title
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Canelo Gets Outboxed, Loses Undisputed Title to Crawford
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025A Masterpiece of Boxing: Terence Crawford Dethrones Canelo Alvarez in Historic Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025LEWIS CROCKER IS CROWNED THE NEW IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Battle of Undefeated: Callum Walsh Vanquishes Fernando Vargas Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Undercard Inferno: Mbilli and Martinez Deliver a Super Middleweight War Ending in a Thrilling Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Crawford to defy odds?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Clash of Titans: The Final Predictions for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Inoue and Akhmadaliev Make Weight for Sunday's Battle, Watch it LIVE on Facebook!
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025IIEE North Cotabato and Metro Central are the Golden Champion on 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Sydney Sy Tancontian is Female Awardee of Sports Hero of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Size Matters
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 13 Sep 2025