Donaire decimates Bedak in 3

CEBU, Philippines - In a spendid display of brute strength and power, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. dropped Hungarian challenger Zsolt "Mr. Lefthook" Bedak to the canvas three times on the way to defending his WBO super bantamweight title via a third round technical knockout in the headliner of the ground-breaking 'The Time Has Come' mega boxing event on Saturday night at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Pumped up by a rousing start, the 32-year-old Donaire showed his deadliest element in the second round where he knocked down his hapless foe two times. Too fast and too quick, the well-calculating fighter from Talibon, Bohol let loose three successive left hooks, the second had Bedak wobbling with rubbery legs and the third one eventually sent the Hungarian down at the seat of his pants.

Bedak, an accomplished Olympian before making waves in the pro ranks, got up quickly and tried to survive the round only to be floored again by another solid left of Donaire. He was fortunate enough to be saved by the bell though.

Donaire again decked Bedak with a left uppercut followed by a solid right  in round three, this time referee Russell Mora intervened. Seeing Bedak badley beaten with a bloody nose and mouth, the third man in the ring from Las Vegas wisely waved off the bout to prevent the Hungarian from further punishment.

It was Donaire's first successful defense since reclaiming his WBO belt and aligning himself back with the top fighters in his division with an impressive unanimous decision over Mexican Cesar Juarez during their bloody and brutal 12-round war five months ago in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"I didn't expect that I would finish him off that soon. I thought he would just run around me in the early rounds but he chose to fight and I din't have any choice (than to knock him out)," said Donaire, who improved his record to 37-3 now laced with 24KOs. Bedak fell to 25-2 with 8KOs.

Fighting before a record crowd of 23,000-plus based on the estimate of CCSC manager Ricky Ballesteros, Donaire said emotions ran high deep within him the moment he made his grand entrance until he climbed up the ring.

The previous mark for the largest crowd in a boxing show stood at 15,000-plus set during the historic "Battle of Cebu" featuring the WBO super flyweight championship between Z "The Dream" Gorres and Mexico's Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel on February 24, 2007 also at the sports center. Gorres lost by a controversial split decision.

"I got emotional when I see the crowd.  I feel their energy and love. To the Cebuanos, thank you for your overwhelming support. That is the reason why I really give my all-out best in this fight so that you will also be proud of me," said a teary-eyed Donaire. "I humbly say thank you with gratitude from the bottom of my heart."

Energized by thousands of cheering, flag-waving fans, the five-division world champion was dominant right from the opening bell. 

But beyond the eyes of many, patience was a vital key to his resounding victory.

"When I scored two knockdowns in the second round, I just kept my cool. What's in my mind at that moment was to be patient. I don't want to go out and waste my energy. All I have to do is find the right timing," said Donaire.

And perfect timing he did find.

After Bedak went down on one knee for the third time, referee Mora knew that the Hungarian had already absorbed enough beating from Donaire and was already done. The official time was 2:44 of round three.

Moments after his masterful triumph, Donaire said he wants to fight next the best out there in the 122-pound division, with special mention on IBF champion Carl Frampton and Guillermo Rigondeaux, who defeated him a unification bout three years ago.

When pressed on who's on top of his list, Donaire quickly replied:"I'm always willing to fight anybody. There are big names out there like Frampton, Rigondauex and even Jessie Magdaleno, but it's Top Rank's call.  As to who I want to fight next, it doesn't matter. I want to fight the best out there. If they think they're the best, then come inside the ring. I'm waiting for you."

Meanwhile, Paul '2 Gunz" Fleming of Australia hammered out a unanimous decision win over Miguel Angel 'Ranita' Gonzalez of Mexico to win the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight crown and at the same time stretch his unbeaten slate to 22-0 spiked with 14KOs. (FREEMAN)