VIDEO: Rigondeaux Gets Off Canvas to Upset Donaire

By Ryan Maquiñana
CSNBayArea.com

Nonito Donaire’s 12-year win streak came to an end in New York City as Guillermo Rigondeaux outdueled him for the WBO, WBA, and Ring Magazine world junior featherweight titles at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday night.

Rigondeaux's technical skills were decisive. (Chris Farina)

Rigondeaux used his handspeed—but especially his feet—to fluster Donaire (31-2, 20 KOs), who constantly sought an opening to land the knockout blow over the 12-round distance. Though Donaire would send Rigondeaux to the canvas via an overhand left in the 10th round, the San Leandro resident found himself stalking his Cuban foe in vain.

“I got up right away,” Rigondeaux said of the knockdown. “He didn’t hurt me.”
Meanwhile, Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs), who now lives in Miami, was able to stay out of Donaire’s striking distance, clocking the East Bay star with right jabs and swift left crosses, then subsequently maneuvering his way out of trouble repeatedly. In the 12th round, Donaire’s right eye closed shut, and the injury prevented him from one final push.

“The people that know boxing saw that it was a very good boxing fight,” Rigondeaux said. “I made him look the way he looked, which was bad, and I looked great…He’s an excellent fighter, with a great punch, but with one shot, you just can’t win a fight.”

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