Donaire unifies super bantam belts with UD victory against Mathebula
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 08 Jul 2012
Carson, Ca - In a tennis stadium turned boxing arena inside the Home Depot Center sports complex, Filipino and WBO super bantamweight champ Nonito Donaire won a twelve round Unanimous Decision against fellow belt holder Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa.
Donaire was aggressive in the early phase of the fight, pressing and attacking his taller foe. The Filipino rained hooks and crosses early in the first against Mathebula who is the IBF champion. Mathebula countered that pressure with jabs to thwart the attacking Donaire.
Donaire was effective in closing the gaps early in the fight as he pressed Mathebula from all corners of the ring. His punching power too is evident forcing the 5'11 Mathebula to move back after experiencing Donaire's heavy hand.
A perfectly timed left hook landed from the shorter Donaire in the fourth round dropping his South African counterpart. Mathebula beat the mandatory eight count by referee Pat Russell and was also lucky to have time on his side after that knock down. Mathebula was saved by the bell after suffering that vicious left hook from Donaire.
Donaire hunted Mathebula after that round in attempts to land another canvass-sending-shot but Mathebula came out a different fighter from the knockdown. Mathebula used his long reach and jabs to keep Donaire off him and also landed punches of his own. Donaire also dropped his hands down while in the process of attacking his foe which Mathebula took advantage of.
Donaire did not only dropped his guards down but his activity level in the middle rounds. His punching number dwindled as the rounds went on. He told his trainer, Robert Garcia that,"my legs are coming back, it was sleepy." at the end of the 7th round. Donaire confirmed that his legs were bothering him during the fight when he was interviewed after his win.
Donaire landed a right hand in the 11th round that bothered Mathebula from then on. Mathebula's mouth was bloodied after taking that shot. He kept his guards high from then on and evaded the rampaging Donaire. It was then reported that Mathebula broke a tooth from that round because of that fight.
Donaire then closed the 12th round and the fight forcing Mathebula in the ropes with fast and powerful combinations. Donaire outpointed his fellow champ with scores of 117-110, 118-109 and 119-108 in the three judges that scored the fight.
With the win, Donaire not only retained his WBO belt but also picked up Mathebula's IBF super bantamweight title. Donaire expressed after the fight that he wants to add another belt of the division to his waist before venturing in the 126 pound division.
"My goal is always to be an undisputed champion with the three belts, no one has ever done it." Donaire said in his post fight interview. Coincidentally, Japanese star and WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka is an eager observer at ringside. Donaire mentioned his name as one of his potential opponents later this year. "One more belt and I am good to go to 126." Donaire said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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