Donaire captures 2nd world crown

LAS VEGAS – In a masterful display of scientific boxing, Nonito Donaire Jr. overcame a huge disadvantage in weight to pound out a unanimous 12-round decision over Rafael ‘El Torito’ Concepcion of Panama for the interim WBA super flyweight title at the New Joint auditorium in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino complex here Saturday night.

Concepcion refused to lower his weight after checking in 4 1/2 pounds over the limit at the weigh-in the day before and Donaire could’ve opted to cancel the fight with his purse intact. But the Filipino Flash chose to face the Panamanian anyway, no matter his weight, as he dedicated the fight to the late President Corazon Aquino.

Donaire suspected Concepcion never planned to make the 115-pound limit.

“All he wanted to do was beat me,” said Donaire. “He knew I wouldn’t back out of the fight so he figured he would at least have a chance to win if he was much bigger than me. He was in condition to fight, not as a super flyweight but as a super bantamweight.”

Concepcion weighed 120 pounds in his previous fight and 127 in the bout before. Donaire, who brought down his weight to 115 after three weeks of taking two eggs and sweet-sour soup with mixed vegetables thrice a day, gave up at least 15 pounds when the fight began.

Weight disparity is more pronounced in the lighter weight divisions.

In the first round, Donaire dictated the tempo with his lightning-quick left jab and dizzying speed. But after he was cut over the left eye, Concepcion nailed Donaire twice with a right cross and a left hook to establish his power in the second.

As the fight wore on, it became increasingly clear that because he was so much bigger, Concepcion could take Donaire’s power shots. He chased Donaire around the ring, attacking like a wild bull, but could only connect occasionally. Donaire darted in and out, throwing jarring combinations to frustrate Concepcion.

Down the stretch, Donaire began connecting with more regularity and it appeared that Concepcion wouldn’t survive the distance. Somehow, Concepcion stayed on his feet until the final bell.

Judge Max de Luca saw it 117-111, judge Duane Ford 115-113 and judge Jerry Roth 116-112, all for Donaire. 

De Luca gave Donaire the first four and the last five rounds. CompuBox punch stats showed that Donaire threw a total of 483 punches and connected 213 for a 44 percent average compared to Concepcion’s 683, 125 and 18 percent. 

The glaring discrepancy was in power punching where Donaire landed 72 percent and Concepcion only 21 percent.

“I proved my heart,” said Donaire. “Because he was so much bigger, Concepcion wouldn’t fall. Anyone who fought at 115 would’ve gone down. He took advantage of his size but I didn’t care. I fought for our country and our people. I didn’t want to let them down.”

Concepcion lashed out at Donaire for not engaging. “He should’ve fought like a warrior instead of run away,” said the Panamanian.

But Donaire said he did what he had to do to win under the circumstances. “Boxing is a sweet science,” he said. “If he weighed 115, he would’ve run away from me for sure. If I move up in weight, I’ll be able to fight on even terms and bring up my power. It wasn’t the case against Concepcion because it was a super flyweight fighting a super bantamweight.”

The Filipino champion also disclosed that he hurt his hand in the early going. The knuckles in his left hand were severely swollen after the fight. 

Donaire walked out of the auditorium with a bag of ice on his hand.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Donaire did a good job of beating a much bigger opponent.

“He acquitted himself very well. It was amazing how he was able to take care of an opponent who probably weighed 130 pounds. He showed all of his skills. I thought Donaire won nine of 10 of the rounds and I couldn’t understand how one of the judges had a margin of only two points. He did that with a bad hand,” Arum said.

He said he’s planning a sequel to Pinoy Power 2 in December with Donaire headlining the card again. There’s a good possibility he’ll fight Jorge Arce. 

“Let’s hope his hand heals quickly and he’ll be ready to fight on Pinoy Power 3, maybe with Mark Melligen and Brian Viloria on the same show,” he said.

Donaire and his wife left for Manila yesterday and will arrive tomorrow morning. From the airport, they will be whisked to the GMA studios for guest appearances on TV.

The win raised Donaire’s record to 22-1, with 14 KOs. Concepcion’s record dropped to 13-4-1, with eight KOs.

It was the first Filipino victory in professional boxing over a Panamanian since Flash Elorde outpointed Ismael Laguna at the Araneta Colsieum in 1966.

Attendance was 1,838 in the 2,500-seat facility.