It’s not the end for Donaire

CARSON, California – Bob Arum said fight fans have not seen the last of Nonito Donaire, who just took his second loss inside 18 months.

“The fact that you lose is not a death sentence,” Arum said.

And following Donaire’s staggering loss to Nicholas Walters at the StubHub Center on a cold Saturday night here, the Top Rank chief said the doors are still open .

“Let’s figure out how he’ll do with his health and then we can put him in a fight in the next few months,” said Donaire, who has a contract with Top Rank until the end of 2016.

But it’s all up to Donaire, who was knocked out in the sixth round. Many viewed the punch, an overhand right above the ear, as concussive.

“It was a good fight but that Jamaican guy is one hell of a puncher,” said Arum.

Donaire didn’t commit anything after the fight. He didn’t say if he’s thinking of retirement or moving back down to the super-bantamweight class.

“We’re looking at it then we will decide,” said Donaire, who needed stitches to close his cuts over both eyes.

 The official punch stats showed Walters as the superior fighter.