FIL-AM NONITO DONAIRE WINS VACANT NABF CROWN
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 22 Jan 2006
FILIPINO-AMERICAN Super flyweight Nonito Donaire won a split decision over American Kahren Harutyunyan to win the vacant North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title at the Pechanga Casino Resort in Temecula, California late Friday.
The 23-year-old Donaire dropped Harutyunyan in round two and went on to win 97-92, 97-92 on two cards, while Harutyunyan prevailed 95-94 on the third card.
Donaire, a former national amateur standout in the United States, hails from General Santos City, the same area where Filipino boxing superstar Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao traces his family and boxing roots.
And just like Pacquiao, Donaire is being promoted by American boxing figure Gary Shaw.
With the win, the right-handed Donaire, nicknamed “Filipino Flash“ (14-1, 8 KO’s) is expected to barge into the world rakings and will be aiming for more meaningful fights in the coming months.
Interestingly, Donaire meet a fighter that is being trained by Pacquiao’s chief mentor Freddie Roach of the famous Wild Card gym.
Roach was not in the corner of Harutyunyan as he is busy preparing for Pacquiao’s mega battle with Mexican Erik Morales today, in Las Vegas, Nevada dubbed as “The Battle”.
With the loss, Harutyunyan dropped at 13-3-3, 0 Kos.
In other results, Former World Boxing Association (WBA) super lightweight champion Vivian Harris was successful in his first bout since losing his title last June. Harris shut out journeyman Marteze Logan (22-20-1) over ten tediously tactical rounds. Scores were 100-89 on all cards. Logan was deducted a point in round six for hitting behind the head.
Unbeaten Abel Barralleza (8-0, 3 KOs) outscored Manuel Sanchez (2-2-1, 1 KO) over six by 58-56 on all cards.
Sharing the limelight is Lightweight Israel Hernandez who overcame a bad cut over his left eye in round one to KO previously unbeaten Tyrone Harris. Harris (14-1, 12 KOs) outclassed Hernandez (12-1-1, 12 KOs) over the first two rounds, but Hernandez rocked Harris in round three and finished him off an uppercut at 1:16 of round four. Referee David Mendoza maybe stopped the bout a bit prematurely.
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