Donaire captures 4th world crown

Sunday, February 5, 2012

NONITO Donaire of the Philippines earned a split-decision win over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico to bag the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight crown at the Alamdone in San Antonio, Texas, Saturday night (Sunday in Manila).

Donaire, called the "Filipino Flash," was making his first debut in the weight category, but proved just as powerful in his previous fights in beating Vazquez and capturing his fourth title in as many different weight divisions.

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Two judges scored the bout 117-110 for Donaire, while the third one had Vasquez winning at 115-112. Donaire had previously held titles in flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight divisions.

It was not an easy win though for Donaire as Vazquez came to fight and traded bombs with Filipino champion in the middle up to the final round.

Donaire was also slowed down by an injury to his left hand which he sustained early in the fight.

A left uppercut followed by another left to the face from Donaire sent Vazquez to the deck in the ninth round. The Puerto Rican got up quickly as the referee gave him a standing eight-count.

With the victory, Donaire improved to 28-1 with 18 knockouts while the defeat was the second for Vazquez, who briefly held the WBO junior featherweight crown when he stopped Filipino boxer Marvin Sonsona two years ago.