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.?
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