Donaire wins over Nishioka via TKO

Carlos Cinco

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Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire, who is touted as the next Manny Pacquiao, knocks out Japan's Toshiaki Nishioka in 9 rounds to remain undefeated since 2001

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire (30-1, 19 KO), aptly called “The Filipino Flash,” once again proved why he is the 5th pound-per-pound boxer in the world after dominating Toshiaki “Speed King” Nishioka (39-5-3, 24KO) on Saturday (Sunday morning Manila time), October 13, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Donaire, 29, defeated the Japanese fighter via 9th round knockout in their Super Bantamweight fight, to retain his IBF and WBO Super Bantamweight titles and take home Nishioka’s WBC diamond belt as well as the vacant RING super bantamweight title.

Too fast

From the opening bell, Donaire’s speed advantage was too much for the 36-year-old Nishioka to handle. Nishioka, unusually tentative, looked completely confused as to how to solve Donaire’s puzzle. Donaire fought at a distance and consistently closed the gap by darting into the contact zone and darting back out after landing his combinations.

Nishioka showed an obvious reluctance to engage as he held a high guard up to thwart Donaire’s vaunted left hook. He clearly had defense-first on his mind. Donaire at times visibly showed frustration at his unwilling dance partner.

This caused Donaire to try to press the fight a little bit as the crowd got restless. The Filipino Flash, with his guard recklessly low, appeared to show little fear for Nishioka’s power.

The action continued similarly throughout the rounds as Donaire piled up the points and built a huge lead on his opponent. In the 6th round, a monstrous left uppercut landed for Donaire that sent Nishioka crashing to the canvas on his rear end.

A visibly woken Nishioka got busy after that reality check and the fight started to pick up. The action got more intense as both fighters traded shots in furious exchanges but the advantage still clearly belonged to Donaire who was faster, stronger and more explosive. 

TKO victory

Nishioka was right to be weary of Donaire’s speed and power all night as he once again got cracked by a Donaire counter in round number 9.

Donaire baited Nishioka to the ropes and laid there for a while before unleashing a powerful straight right hand which landed square on Nishioka’s chin, sending the overmatched Japanese fighter to the floor for a second time.

This time as Nishioka got back up on his feet, his legs were gone. With no foundation beneath him, Donaire attacked his foe once again with a huge left uppercut causing the referee to stop the fight. 

According to HBO Boxing, Donaire landed 134 out of 485 punches thrown, a distant cry from Nishioka’s 49 of 199.

Rios bests Alvarado

In the night’s main undercard, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios knocked out Mike “Mile High” Alvarado in 7 rounds in an instant classic.

In a fight of the year candidate, Rios and Alvarado went at it furiously for the duration of the fan-friendly fight. Alvarado was ahead by a point before the stoppage on the unofficial Rappler scorecard, but Rios just wouldn’t give up.

Alvarado was boxing systematically well behind a piston-like jab which kept Rios at bay. But Rios, known for overpowering and overwhelming his opponents with brute strength just did not stop coming.

Rios continued to press the action and landed a devastating, fight ending flurry in the 7th round that Alvarado had no answer for. Alvarado, stunned and defenseless, repeatedly took hard shots to the head and the referee had no choice but to stop the fight and award Rios the huge TKO victory.

Read our live blog here. – Rappler.com

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