Looking like 70’s icon Bruce Lee, Nonito Donaire was dressed to impress as he wore the colours of Lee’s famed film “game of death” for his battle with IBF champion Mathebula in front of 3200 at the Home Depot Centre in Carson California. It was another step in Donaire’s grand plan to be the dominant force in the lower weights although this time against the South African he was made to work very hard for his victory.
At 5″11 Mathebula’s huge height advantage over his Filipino foe was a major talking point beforehand as Donaire at only 5″5 1/2 would have to devise a plan to get inside his taller opponent using his lightning like speed. In the first few rounds Donaires speed was apparent as he was able to get inside landing jabs and big right hands. Mathebula’s response was work rate, constant jabs were followed by the odd right hand kept Donaire on his toes as marched forward trying to walk the bigger man down. The South African defending his World title for the 1st time took the 3rd on my card and was having a pretty decent 4th until a big left hook landed inside by the WBO champion late in the round. Mathebula struggled to his feet his legs looked shot, refuge was on hand though as the bell had already rung saving him from what looked a certain knockout loss.
That knockdown suffered by Mathebula had an effect on the fight but not the way many expected. Instead of helping Donaire, it hindered him, Donaire’s game plan went out of the window, he was only thinking and looking for a knockout now. After 7 rounds Donaire was comfortably ahead on my card 68-64, Mathebula to his credit upped his already high work rate and began picking Donaire off as he tried to get in. HBO TV surprising showed that in 8 rounds Mathebula had out-landed Donaire in 7 of the 8 rounds with the other being drawn, certainly an argument for those who feel that Compubox does not show the true story of a fight.
Round 9 and 10 followed the same way as Mathebula was timing Donaire with some nice crisp right hands, the scorecards were also closing with my score now reading 85-84 Donaire. In his first world title attempt Mathebula travelled to Panama City, Panama to take on feared puncher Celestino Caballero who was making his umpteenth title defence. In a very close fight Mathebula started slow but came on very strong near the end before losing a disputed split decision. This fight also was following the same suit before mid-way in the 11th Donaire landed a massive punch that had blood spurting from the South Africans mouth (later a cracked tooth was to blame). This seemed to stop Mathebula in his tracks as Donaire sensing the fight was closer than it should have been stepped up the tempo looking for that KO again. Donaire swept the final 2 rounds therefore putting the fight well out of reach for his gritty opponent who no doubt on this showing can test the very best in the 122lb Division.
Donaire will now be expected to challenge rival champions Abner Mares (WBC) and Guillermo Rigondeaux (WBA), Its the fights the fans want although in his post fight interview Donaire did say he was close to moving up another division to challenge the best at Featherweight. Well will see.
My scorecard is below: Fightscorecollector’s Scorecard
Round 1…. 10-9 Donaire
Round 2…. 10-9 Donaire
Round 3…. 9-10 Mathebula
Round 4…. 10-8 Donaire
Round 5…. 10-9 Donaire
Round 6…. 9-10 Mathebula
Round 7…. 10-9 Donaire
Round 8…. 9-10 Mathebula
Round 9…. 9-10 Mathebula
Round 10.. 9-10 Mathebula
Round 11.. 10-9 Donaire
Round 12.. 10-9 Donaire
TOTAL : 115-112 DONAIRE
Read more from Robert at http://fightscorecollector.blogspot.co.uk/
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