RIGONDEAUX DISAPPOINTS DONAIRE IN NEW YORK
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 14 Apr 2013
New York -- Guillermo was a close 2:1 underdog to fellow champion Nonito Donaire going into tonight's unification match at the iconic The Radio City Music Hall in New York.
His lack of professional experience is made up by his highly decorated amateur career and tonight he showed the whole world how crafty he is as a fighter.
The former Olympic gold medal winner fashioned out a boxing clinic against his Filipino counterpart. He was the quicker, more agile fighter. His hand speed was a problem for Donaire from the opening stanza of their 12 round championship match and his punches landed and hurt Donaire.
Rigondeaux eluded most of Donaire's shots, using not only his quickness but also his shorter height to his advantage. He moved around the ring, fully eluding Donaire's aggression for most of the night.
In a dramatic shift, Donaire caught him in the 10th with a mean left hook that found its target on Rigondeaux's jaw that sent the Cuban to the canvas. But the Cuban Olympian survived despite the repeated pursuit of Donaire to end the fight.
Rigondeaux recovered well from the knockdown and preserved his lead by returning back to his early formula. Donaire, who abandoned the jab, was forced to play catch-up again.
Rigondeaux finished the fight with an aggressive 12th round. He launched from his stool and brought the action to Donaire who for the first time was forced to distance himself from his opponent's attacks.
It was the punctuation mark that Rigondeaux needed to ensure the victory.
Rigondeaux held on to his WBA belt and took Donaire's WBO title in the process while remaining undefeated in his professional career.
The scores were 114-113, 115-112 and 116-111 for the now unified Super Bantamweight champion
For Nonito Donaire, it is back to the drawing boards again for him.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: WBA World Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (L) wins a 12-round unanimous decision over Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire to win the WBO World Jr. Featherweight belt, Saturday, April 13 at the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Photo by Chris Farina - Top Rank.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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