by Cliff Rold - In a steady, workmanlike performance, 29-year old WBO Super Bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (30-1, 19 KO) of San Leandro, California scored two knockdowns en route to a ninth-round stoppage of defensive minded 36-year old former WBC Super Bantamweight titlist Toshiaki Nishioka (39-5-3, 23 KO) of Tokyo, Japan on Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. It was Donaire’s first knockout win in four fights and only the second loss inside the distance for Nishioka dating to 1995.
Both men came in under the division limit, Donaire at 121 ½ and Nishioka at 121 ¾. The referee was Raul Caiz Sr.
The lineal crown at 122 lbs., vacant since Israel Vazquez announced he was done with the division in 2009, was widely considered to be on the line coming into the fight given the divisional accomplishments of the two men.
Nishioka gave up the World Boxing Council (WBC) title without losing it for personal cited reasons after a seven-defense reign from 2008-2012 that included a win over likely future Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez. [Click Here To Read More]
Both men came in under the division limit, Donaire at 121 ½ and Nishioka at 121 ¾. The referee was Raul Caiz Sr.
The lineal crown at 122 lbs., vacant since Israel Vazquez announced he was done with the division in 2009, was widely considered to be on the line coming into the fight given the divisional accomplishments of the two men.
Nishioka gave up the World Boxing Council (WBC) title without losing it for personal cited reasons after a seven-defense reign from 2008-2012 that included a win over likely future Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez. [Click Here To Read More]
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