Tinalo si Juarez via unanimous decision ‘The Filipino Flash’ muling hinirang na kampeon

MANILA, Philippines – Pawis at dugo ang ipinuhunan ni Nonito ‘The Fi­lipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. para muling maisuot ang world super bantamweight crown.

Tinalo ni Donaire si Mexican Cesar Juarez via una­nimous decision para angkinin ang bakanteng World Boxing Organization super bantamweight belt ka­hapon sa Coliseo Roberto Clemente sa San Juan, Puer­to Rico.

“We did what he wanted to do in the early rounds, but I lost my power in the middle of the fight because I couldn’t punch with my legs, I could only throw arm punches,” litanya ng 32-anyos na si Donaire.

Inamin ng tubong Talibon, Bohol na nagkaroon si­ya ng ankle injury sa sixth round.

“A lot of guys would have quit (after hurting their ankle) but I’m mentally strong. I fought my mental fatigue. I’m never going to give up,” ani Donaire.

Kumuha si Donaire (36-3-0, 23 KOs) ng 116-110, 116-110 at 117-109 points mula sa tatlong judges para talunin si Juarez (17-4-0, 13 KOs).

Ang WBO super bantamweight title ay tinanggal kay two-time Olympic Games golds medalist Guiller­mo Rigondeaux (16-0-0, 10 KOs) matapos hindi lu­maban sa loob ng 11 buwan.

Tiniis ni Donaire ang kanyang namamagang kaliwang mata, putok sa itaas ng kanyang kanang mata at ankle injury sa sixth round para ungusan si Juarez.

Dalawang beses niyang pinabagsak ang 24-anyos na Mexican fighter sa fourth round.

“Juarez was amazing too. He was going to give me a tough fight whether I hurt my ankle or not. This was my toughest fight,” ani Donaire.

Ito ang ikatlong sunod na panalo ni Donaire matapos maisuko ang kanyang dating suot na World Bo­xing Association featherweight belt kay Jamaican Ni­cholas Walters via sixth-round knockout noong Oktubre noong nakaraang taon.

Si Donaire ay dating naghari sa IBF/IBO flyweight, WBO/WBC bantamweight, WBO/IBF super bantamweight at WBA featherweight divisions.

Handa si Donaire, hinirang bilang 2012 Fighter of the Year matapos magkakasunod na talunin sina Wil­fredo Vasquez, Jr., Jeffrey Mathebula, Toshiaki Ni­shioka at Jorge Arce, na bigyan ng rematch si Juarez.

“I will definitely give him a rematch,” sabi ng Fil-Am boxing champion.