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Nonito Donaire defends his IBF Flyweight title against Luis Maldanado on Showtime Boxing
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00:00Time Sports.
00:02Throughout this year, we've been ringside for a collection of memorable moments.
00:08We were there for some very stunning endings.
00:11It's spectacular! Dramatic! One punch knocked out!
00:14And a rivalry we hope will never end.
00:18Barquez! Vasquez! One throw, and the other one comes back!
00:22We've witnessed the emergence of a new age of stars.
00:27And the final match, the star for all ages.
00:31The 29-year-old Diego Corrales, who won titles in two weight classes, died in a motorcycle accident last night.
00:39Tonight, in keeping with our eclectic year, we have three very different kinds of bouts.
00:45Starting off, the star of what could be the upset of the year, Nonito Donaire.
00:50With this punch, he ended the championship reign of the seemingly invincible Vic Darchinian.
00:56In the 154-pound weight class, we have a two-division champion, the popular Vernon Forrest.
01:03After a one-year layoff, Forrest re-entered the sport and re-energized his career by beating Carlos Valdemir for
01:10the WBC title.
01:11And culminating the evening, Antonio Tarver, the charismatic and confident light heavyweight, continues his Hall of Fame career.
01:21Tonight, we celebrate our diverse year with a wide-ranging and exciting trio of stars.
01:28Next.
01:53E. Vander Holyfield pulls off the colossal option.
01:57E. Vander Holyfield pulls off the bat, and the fight is over!
02:02Unbelievable!
02:04Julio Cesar Chavez is still the champion!
02:08Fists are flying, firing bombs, big action here!
02:13What a heavy right hand!
02:15It's all over!
02:15We've got a new champion!
02:28And welcome to colorful Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, for the season finale of Showtime Championship Boxing.
02:37Yes, tonight, we close out another action-packed year on America's Fight Night.
02:43We bring you inside of the Fox Arena on the grounds of North America's largest gaming casino.
02:48The fans gearing up for a big boxing tripleheader.
02:51Our co-main event has two-time light heavyweight titleist Antonio Tarver in the spotlight against Danny Santiago.
02:58Also, the WBC Super Welterweight crown at stake as two-division champion Vernon Forrest takes on former welterweight champ Michele
03:06Pizzarillo.
03:07And for openers, he rocked the boxing world earlier this year.
03:10Nonito Donair meets Luis Maldonado for the IBF flyweight belt.
03:14It's fight night at Foxwoods.
03:19Hello again, everybody.
03:20Steve Albert from scenic New England.
03:22Vernon Forrest and Antonio Tarver have more in common than you might think.
03:26Both were U.S. Olympians.
03:27Both first won world titles.
03:29While in their 30s, both made their names by beating superstars.
03:33Forrest against Shane Mosley and Tarver against Roy Jones.
03:36And both have had uneven careers that have been slowed by stretches of inactivity.
03:41And one other similarity, both Forrest and Tarver have retained star power, which is why we are here tonight.
03:48With that, let me bring on my ringside partner, Al Bernstein.
03:51And Al, what's at stake here tonight?
03:53What do you see down the road for Forrest and Tarver?
03:55Well, you know, you mentioned the similarities between these two men.
03:58There are two more.
03:59One, neither can afford a loss here tonight.
04:01And also, both have some interesting opportunities out there on the horizon for them.
04:05For Forrest, there could be his arch nemesis, Ricardo Marraga, who's rejuvenated after his recent win.
04:10And for Tarver, he's already set his sights on Tampa rival Jeff Lacey.
04:15And then he hopes to shot at one of the light heavyweight titles, maybe Chad Dawson, the WBC king.
04:20But all of that is dependent on them winning tonight.
04:23And given the fact that we average about one upset per month here on Showtime, that's not a given.
04:28Well, Al, as you very well know, tonight the curtain comes down on one of the most memorable years in
04:33the 21-year history of Showtime Championship boxing.
04:36Some outstanding fights throughout.
04:38Really has been great.
04:39You know, it's been a great year for boxing in general.
04:41We've certainly contributed to that.
04:43Surprises?
04:44Well, how about six champions being dethroned on our show this year?
04:48We watched emerging stars like Chad Dawson and Samuel Peter.
04:52We said goodbye to Diego Corrales in his last fight before his tragic death.
04:56And ironically, we saw two fights that reminded us of Corrales' great match against Jose Luis Castillo.
05:03Those were the matches between Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez.
05:07Steve, it doesn't get any better than those two fights.
05:09Coming up from Foxwoods Resort Casino, the IVF Flyweight Championship.
05:14As Nonito Donair defends his belt against hard-nosed Luis Maldonado.
05:19Donair's spectacular win over Victor Chinian in July is a candidate for upset of the year and knockout of the
05:25year.
05:26Our Jim Gray spoke with the champion earlier tonight.
05:30Steve, thank you very much.
05:31Nonito, how much has your life changed since that career-changing punch against Archenia?
05:37Everything changed.
05:38I mean, one punch, one fight.
05:39My whole world just went upside down.
05:41I mean, I was the stepping stone kind of guy, you know, until I met my manager, Cameron Duncan,
05:47and he got me into the rankings and the other, you know, regional titles.
05:51And ever since then, after that fight, you know, everybody, especially in the Philippines,
05:55I mean, everybody supports me like they support Manny Pacquiao, I mean, although I'm not even as close as that
06:00yet.
06:00But, you know, there's a few people that are really, really boxing fans, and, you know, they appreciate what I
06:06did.
06:06And, I mean, just, you know, I became a commentator in some medias in the Philippines.
06:13And, you know, it was an incredible change of, I mean, just the whole change and everything.
06:19But I still love my family.
06:21They're always number one for me.
06:22And you also, Nenito, had the opportunity to meet President Arroyo.
06:25Oh, yeah.
06:25And you also were celebrated with a huge celebration and a party.
06:29What's all that been like for you?
06:31Like I said, it was very incredible.
06:32I mean, it was just, you know, I never expected anything like that, you know.
06:36They had a motorcade for me in three different places.
06:41And I met the president.
06:43I went to the palace out there, you know, and just the whole experience.
06:49I mean, it's just incredible.
06:51And I hope to gain more from that, you know, with everybody's support.
06:55And what about your preparation tonight for Luis Maldonado?
06:58And do you approach it the same way now as when you were a challenger?
07:03Honestly, there was a little, you know, I thought that the pressure wasn't going to get me.
07:08But there is a lot of pressure on me right now because everybody's there.
07:11You know, everybody's supporting me.
07:12And now that I thought about it, it's like, wow, especially as the fight went on, you know.
07:17Out there, the last fight, all I had in my mind was I didn't care if I win or lose.
07:22I just wanted to hurt Darchinian.
07:24That's all I wanted to do because he pissed me off in the way in.
07:27There was so much disrespect, you know.
07:29And, you know, Maldonado, he's a nice guy.
07:32And, you know, we have both good sportsmanship, you know.
07:37And we're going to go out there.
07:38We're going to do our best.
07:38And there's never really, you know, it's always good.
07:42It's always a good thing to go out there and give it all you got.
07:46Nonito, we'll talk to you after the fight.
07:47Best of luck.
07:47Thank you very much.
07:49All right, Steve, back to you.
07:50And what shouldn't be overlooked is how well Donair was fighting up until that fateful punch.
07:56And the challenger for his first defense could provide the elements for more fireworks tonight, Al.
08:01Yeah, he really could.
08:0129-year-old Luis Maldonado has had 39 professional fights.
08:06And he has won all of them except for two.
08:09A draw with Christian Maharas, who went on to win the WBC Superflyweight Championship.
08:14And a loss to Victor Darchinian.
08:16That is certainly a pardonable sin.
08:19He's a resolute and skilled fighter.
08:21And I think shows the depth in the flyweight and superflyweight division.
08:25And the X's and O's for him tonight are an important part of the story.
08:33Despite the one-punch KO of Darchinian, Nonito is not a slugger.
08:37He's a boxer puncher.
08:38So, no pressing wild punches, which he sometimes will throw.
08:41And he gets off balance.
08:43A once-injured left hand didn't allow him to throw his left hook.
08:47But now it is a weapon again.
08:49Vic Darchinian certainly found that out.
08:52Donair countered him with a perfect left hook.
08:54And Maldonado may attack in a similar fashion as a lefty.
09:00This scene may be repeated tonight.
09:13Maldonado often squares his body when attacking.
09:15This invites counter-punching.
09:17Maldonado likes to switch, and he should try it.
09:20See if it's successful.
09:21To win, he must be active and throw more than one punch at a time.
09:31And seasoned pro Luis Maldonado out of Mexicali, Mexico.
09:36Only one loss in 39 fights.
09:39Also impressive, he fought current WBC super flyweight champion Christian Mejaris to a draw.
09:46Maldonado 4-0 with three knockouts since the loss to Darchinian.
09:51Although limited opposition, yet Al, this a gritty, battle-tested, nine-year pro who shouldn't be taken lightly.
09:59In the dictionary next to solid pro is definitely his picture.
10:03And what's more, he has a complete bag of tricks that he brings into this fight.
10:07We talked about the switching.
10:08He is a very solid fighter.
10:10And any letdown by Donaire will not serve him well.
10:14Maldonado, one of nine children.
10:16His father, a laborer in the fields.
10:19And up until recently, about eight months ago, in fact, Luis was a waiter and a busboy at a restaurant
10:27in Mexicali to help support his wife and four-year-old daughter.
10:31But now he is 100% devoted to the sport of boxing.
10:50Well, they call him the Filipino Flash, the very affable, calm, composed Nonito Donaire who returns to the same state
10:59in which he dethroned previously unbeaten and seemingly impenetrable Victor Darchinian in stunning fashion.
11:07The explosive left hook in round five.
11:09Donaire coming from virtually nowhere tonight.
11:13This young man wants to prove that he is truly an emerging presence, Al.
11:18That his performance in July was indeed no fluke.
11:23And that he is by no means a one-hit wonder.
11:26You know, the great boxing trainer and commentator Gil Clancy often said that most fighters, when they win a championship,
11:33improve by about 20%.
11:34But there is also the matter in Donaire to consider that trip that they referred to where he went to
11:40the Philippines.
11:41Maybe some people think that all that adulation could be a distraction for him.
11:46And in that whirlwind tour, he was honored, as he talked about with Jim Gray, by a big parade in
11:52the Philippines,
11:53feeted by government officials and fans.
11:55Even met with the Filipino president, as you heard him talking about so glowingly.
12:00But now it's back to business.
12:01He looks to extend his win streak to 18 in a row.
12:05Has not lost since 0-1 in his second professional fight.
12:11And let's check the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape here at Foxwoods.
12:16Donaire turned 25 just two weeks ago.
12:18Four years younger than Maldonado.
12:20The champion with the slight edge in height and reach in it yesterday's weigh-in.
12:24Both came in under the 112-pound limit by one pound.
12:30And the key unified rules.
12:32There's no standing eight count.
12:33No three-knockdown rule.
12:34A fighter can't be saved by the bell in any round.
12:36If an accidental headbutt causes a fight to end within four, it's a no decision.
12:40After four rounds, they go to the cards.
12:42If a punch causes a cut, the injured fighter cannot continue.
12:45He loses by TKO.
12:49So here at Foxwoods in Connecticut, we are getting ready for Nonito Donaire versus Luis Maldonado for the IBF Flyway
12:57Championship.
12:58Let's get the formal introductions from our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon Jr.
13:06Ladies and gentlemen, a very good evening to you.
13:09And welcome to Foxwoods Resort and Casino here in Mashantucket, Connecticut, as we have a big night of action in
13:17store for you.
13:18And at this time, we present the first of our world title attractions.
13:21And it's all brought to you by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Foxwoods and Showtime.
13:28This bout coming away is sanctioned by the IBF, President Marion Mohamed, Supervisor Daryl Peoples,
13:35and the IBO, President Ed Levine, Supervisor Dr. Jason Levine, along with the Mashantucket Pequot Athletic Commission.
13:43Introducing our three judges, scoring this bout from ringside, from Providence, Rhode Island, Clark Sammartino.
13:50From West Hartford, Connecticut, George Smith.
13:53And from Litchfield, Connecticut, Don Trella.
13:57And introducing our third man in the ring, the referee in charge of this bout, Charlie Dwyer.
14:05All right, fans, here we go.
14:08Twelve rounds of boxing for the IBF Flyweight Championship of the World.
14:16Introducing to you first the challenger.
14:19On my right, he is fighting out of the blue corner, wearing red, white, and green trunks.
14:24He hails from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico.
14:28He weighed in at 111 pounds, with a record of 37 wins, one defeat, and one draw.
14:35He has 28 wins, coming by way of knockout.
14:38Tonight, he is making his second attempt at a world title.
14:41He is currently ranked number four in the world by the IBF.
14:45Please welcome the challenger, Luis Titimaldonado.
14:57And his opponent across the ring on my left, the defending world champion, fighting out of the red corner,
15:04wearing red trunks with white trim, fighting out of San Leandro, California,
15:09by way of General Santos City in the Philippines.
15:13He weighed in the same as his opponent, 111 pounds.
15:17His record, 18 wins, one defeat, 11 wins, coming by way of knockout.
15:23Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, he is making the first defense of his title.
15:27Please welcome the IBF Flyweight Champion of the World, known as the Filipino Flash.
15:35Introducing, Nonito Donner.
15:45Once again, ladies and gentlemen, 12 rounds of boxing scheduled.
15:48Our referee in charge now to give instructions, Charlie Dwyer.
15:54Gentlemen, you both know the rules.
15:56Let's have a good, clean fight.
15:57Obey my commands at all times.
15:59Shake hands.
16:00Good luck.
16:00Way to sweat that.
16:04We get our triple header underway with the IBF Flyweight Championship.
16:08Can Nonito Donner build on his stirring win just five months to go?
16:13We know he can punch, but he also brings good skills and lightning speed and a very fast starter.
16:20The aggressive, Luis Maldonado.
16:23Very tough guy who seldom goes backwards.
16:27Doesn't hit as hard, though, as Donner, which could be a huge factor.
16:33Probably, if there's one thing in this match that we would be looking at, it's a question of whether Luis
16:37Maldonado can, in fact, make Donner feel his punches.
16:42Donner, the champion in the red with the white trim.
16:44Maldonado, the challenger in the red and green.
16:48Maldonado can take a punch.
16:49Has lots of heart.
16:50However, he is hittable, and he cuts, which could also impact tonight.
16:55Maldonado, mainly a boxer counterpuncher, good body puncher, will switch to southpaw, usually in round two for some reason.
17:03Like clockwork.
17:04I know.
17:04Although Donner doesn't think he'll switch as much versus a right-hander.
17:08We shall see.
17:10Interestingly, Donner's only loss against the southpaw.
17:14After that, he quit for a while.
17:16His heart wasn't in it, but in time, he realized he loved the sport.
17:20Early on here in this match, what we want to see is when Maldonado's attacking Donner, does he square his
17:26body to him and make himself a more available target?
17:30Donner feels that Maldonado will be easier to hit than Darchinian because he keeps coming forward.
17:35Darchinian, as unorthodox as he is, fights more from the outside.
17:40As you can see, Donner, with those high red socks, terrific physical attributes, tall, angular, strong, good reach, factors against
17:52Darchinian.
17:53Will they impact here tonight?
17:55There's that nice jab and a good right hand, followed by a left uppercut by Donner.
18:00Donner has a complete arsenal, and the hook that knocked Darchinian out was a punch that he wasn't using for
18:07a lot of fights because it was injured early in his career.
18:09And now he, it's a weapon for him, and they want to land it in every fight.
18:13Yeah, unexpectedly, it was the telling punch.
18:16Most thought the right would be more instrumental.
18:19And there is a good left hook by Donner.
18:21Donner had broken his left hand earlier in his career, as you point out, and it had posed problems throughout
18:27his career.
18:28It was a perfect left hand with uncanny anticipation.
18:33I mean, he, too, is, I mentioned Maldonado is a good counterpuncher, but so is Donner, if you'll recall.
18:40Darchinian was just about ready to throw a left hand himself when he got nailed with the left hook by
18:47Donner.
18:50And the punch had so much force behind it that Darchinian was completely disoriented, didn't even realize he'd been knocked
18:57out.
18:59You know, so far in this match, Donner has also had the edge in hand speed.
19:04His combination would have been much quicker than Maldonado.
19:07Now, we know that Donner is a quick starter, so we kind of expect that.
19:1220 seconds left in the opening round, scattered for 12 for the RBF flyweight belt.
19:17As mentioned, Maldonado battled Christian Maharas to a draw.
19:20No easy feat, although Maharas is southpaw.
19:23Some compare Donner to Maharas because of his size and punching accuracy.
19:30Time!
19:32Time!
19:33Time!
19:41Time!
19:43Vaseline!
19:46Vaseline!
19:49John, do your painting.
19:51Paint right, bang!
19:54Walk my mochan.
19:55Don't get too close to him.
19:56Just watch for his counter hook, okay?
19:59Don't get careless.
20:00Put your hands up all the time.
20:03You're wide open sometimes, okay?
20:04A very good first round for Nonito's own air,
20:07and we talked about the left hook
20:08and how it is now an important punch for him.
20:12Countering left, just like the one that got to Darchinian
20:16because it was a right hand over the right that Donair landed it.
20:20And by the way, right at the end of that first round,
20:24Maldonado switched to lefty, so he beat it by about four seconds.
20:27Well, he did switch to lefty in the first round against Darchinian,
20:32which may have actually worked against him
20:36because I thought he was more effective with his straight right.
20:40And he just didn't jab enough in that fight.
20:44We'll see how this one goes against the man who conquered Darchinian.
20:49You noticed in the corner of Donair,
20:51the man talking to him was his dad, Nonito Donair Sr.
20:56Many father-son teams don't work, but this one does.
20:59Good right hand there by Donair.
21:01I think that Gil Clancy bromide is going to hold true for Nonito Donair.
21:08He's fighting with such confidence already in this match
21:11that you can see he believes in himself.
21:15Yeah, there is a concern, of course, when a guy wins in the fashion he did
21:20and then has a parade thrown for him in his home area.
21:22You know, you start getting a swelled head and all that.
21:25It doesn't seem to be the case here for Donair.
21:27Good right hand by Donair.
21:29Oh, that one really caught him.
21:31And Maldonado disoriented.
21:33He's in some trouble now as he backpedals, Al.
21:37He's got him against the ropes.
21:38What a huge right hand to start things off.
21:42And there's some bleeding now, Al.
21:44And even as a lefty, Maldonado is having trouble.
21:47And you mentioned bleeding Maldonado, of course, with the history of cutting.
21:50So this fight not starting out well for Maldonado at all.
21:54Yeah, there's blood coming down the left side of Maldonado's face.
21:57Donair just missed with a right hand there.
22:03What a wicked right hand by Donaito Donair.
22:06And blood immediately started spurting out of the left side of Maldonado's face.
22:11And you know, Donair fights lefties so well.
22:14He keeps his foot in a position to throw that left hook.
22:18And he cranks it up.
22:19And there it is.
22:20That's a perfect example of it right there, where he counters over the jab of a lefty.
22:24And Donaito is trying to end it in dramatic fashion.
22:28And the face of Maldonado now a bloody mess.
22:32And this is nothing new with him.
22:38The blood from Maldonado all over the chest of Donair.
22:43The left hook upstairs.
22:45And Maldonado stumbled momentarily but maintained his balance.
22:51The offensive arsenal of Donair, very impressive.
22:54And Maldonado in a southpaw stance here.
22:56I always feel that when a guy switches to southpaw, he loses something.
23:00His offense and defense does suffer.
23:02Yeah, very.
23:03Some people can get it done.
23:05Maldonado doesn't have much power.
23:07Does lose it.
23:07Good left hook again by Donair.
23:09He has got that punch zeroed in over the jab of Maldonado.
23:13Oh, Nonito Donair.
23:15And there's another cut over the right eye of Maldonado.
23:20Yeah, things are getting really messy now for the challenger.
23:24The blood getting into his eyes.
23:30And nonstop pursuit by the champions.
23:37Hey!
23:41Maldonado extricates himself from that round.
23:44Barely.
23:54Punch.
23:55Right hands.
23:56Punch.
23:59Don't stop.
24:02Don't stop with me.
24:06Donair has nixed in some great lead rights like that one that set Maldonado back on his heels.
24:14But the left hook has been an impressive weapon.
24:17As we look at it from above, there's the right hand by Donair.
24:21And later on, the left hook would become a factor.
24:25As a lefty now, the right hand, very low from Maldonado.
24:29And Donair turns that hook over and does it very effectively.
24:34They clean up the mess on the face of Luis Maldonado.
24:39Ringside physician Dr. Michael Schwartz was in there.
24:41But here's some bleeding erupts out of the corner of his right eye, even before the next round begins.
24:49So he's in difficulty already here to begin round three.
24:54You know, Maldonado came back, as we noted, with four wins after the loss to Virginie.
24:58But three were against fighters with records of 10-17, 7-28, and 2-3.
25:03But Sergio Espinoza was 14-3-1 in his last win, and it was a tough win for him.
25:09So he may be slipping backwards, and this may be a part of that.
25:12Although most of what's happening tonight is because Donair is fighting well.
25:16Yeah, a combination of things.
25:18Maldonado, there's a good sweeping right hand that tagged Maldonado on the cheek.
25:24A combination of the fan-friendly technique and power style of Donair and perhaps bad preparation
25:33leading up to this fight for Maldonado.
25:38Donair, of course, a showbox alum.
25:42Showbox series and went on to win a title that so many boxers have for that series.
25:46And the exciting thing about him, Al, I mean, he's a flyweight with a big frame, so he can
25:51really move up to 115, 118, maybe even to featherweight at some point.
25:55Yeah, they certainly can get up to bantamweight.
25:58There's no question about that.
25:59We're talking about a rematch with Archini at 115, perhaps a fight with, there's a nice
26:05right hand by Donair, a fight with Jorge Arce at 118.
26:09And both cuts now reopened on the face of Maldonado.
26:13So they're going to have to take a really long look at that to see if there's any way
26:17they can stop those cuts and whether this fight should go on, although the cuts are
26:20on the side of the eyes, not over.
26:24Well, Donair has been in some grueling fights and add this one to the roster.
26:29Yeah.
26:35We approach the final minute of round three.
26:38It's scheduled for 12, but will it go that deep?
26:41Donair said to us, he said he thought cuts would be an issue for Maldonado, and they
26:47are.
26:48And he just hammers away with the right, the right a big factor as well as the hook for
26:53Donair.
27:01Donair is so focused.
27:05And Maldonado, so bloody.
27:08What a difference that left hook has made for him now that he's healthy, his hand is healthy
27:12and he can throw it.
27:13It just makes Donair a complete fighter.
27:16Well, his face is a raging mess, Maldonado right now.
27:19But he's the type of guy that will fight on throughout.
27:23It won't stop him.
27:25He's just red-faced.
27:31Big swing and a miss by Donair, looking for the end.
27:3711 of his 18 wins by knockout, Donair.
27:42And he's looking for number 12 tonight.
28:08You've got to keep going in this fight.
28:19Go southpaw on him.
28:20Go southpaw on him.
28:22Go southpaw on him.
28:23Well, as they advise Maldonado to go lefty, we see him there as a right-hander, but that's
28:30where he did switch to lefty.
28:31And the problem is he's been ineffective from both stances.
28:35And when he goes to the left-handed stance, there's the left hook by Donair.
28:38That one missed, but for the most part, they've been landing.
28:41So, Steve, righty or lefty, there's no safe haven for this young man.
28:46Famed cut man Jimmy Montoya.
28:49Yes.
28:50Earning his money tonight.
28:51He actually worked with Nonito Donair in the past for about three years.
28:55Nonito actually lived in Jimmy's house for a while, so he knows the champion very well.
29:00But, boy, he's got his work cut out here with the cuts.
29:03Yeah, Jimmy Montoya, really a great boxing guy as a trainer, cut man, manager, and all the rest.
29:12Nonito Donair, 18-1, 11 knockouts, six-and-a-half-year pro.
29:16He's in the red trunks, Luis Baldonado, with the more experienced 37-1-and-1, 28 KOs, a nine-year
29:25veteran.
29:27IVF number four, his second world title shot, but it is not going well.
29:33Left hook there by Donair, missing with that left hook.
29:36And how about Donair switch to lefty momentarily?
29:39And there he is now again, becoming a left.
29:42Now that's perplexing to me, because you can't be doing better than you are in the right-handed stance than
29:48Donair.
29:49So this, to me, is a really questionable tactic.
29:52We'll have to find out why he did that.
29:57Now he switches back to conventional.
30:02And meanwhile, Maldonado is in the lefty stance.
30:05It'd be like one of Woody Hayes' old teams deciding to throw the ball on every down after they were
30:10getting first down after first down.
30:12Yeah, it didn't make much sense, yeah.
30:16I gave myself by saying Woody Hayes.
30:18I could have picked some contemporary.
30:19It was a nice jab by Maldonado getting there.
30:23You're just showing your depth.
30:24That's it.
30:28Nice right hook by Maldonado.
30:30And there's, in the keys, I said Donair can't throw wild punches.
30:34That's exactly what he did there.
30:36And he got hit with a really good right hook by Maldonado.
30:39Did that punch make a difference?
30:40And look at Maldonado come back.
30:42Luis Maldonado showing a lot of metal.
30:47That's no surprise.
30:49That's no surprise.
30:54Able to score here from the southpaw stance.
30:57And suddenly Donair becoming a bit more cautious for the first time in this particular contest.
31:06Oh, that was interesting.
31:07I mean, Maldonado has done pretty well in this round.
31:10Might even be winning it.
31:12Donair, just for the record, never down pro or amateur.
31:15He was stunned only once versus Jose Cardenas.
31:20July 06.
31:24But Donair took a second round TKO there.
31:27And here's another left hand, a straight left.
31:29That's scored by Maldonado.
31:32Maldonado's having a really good round.
31:33That was kind of a push.
31:35Yeah, that was a balance situation for Maldonado.
31:40Much better round for Maldonado.
31:43And also the good news, not bleeding, except for a little bit from the right eye.
31:53And it's going around the eye socket.
32:01He's got to cut him off.
32:02He's running on here.
32:03Keep cutting him off.
32:04He's running around like a...
32:04How are you doing?
32:05He's good.
32:05Doing all right?
32:06Doing all right?
32:10You got to keep calling.
32:11You got to keep calling.
32:12Don't open up.
32:14Don't open up.
32:15Don't put your head inside.
32:21What a turnaround in that fourth round.
32:52Donair's got to be careful.
32:54Al, he can't get too cute.
32:58He dominated the, you know, the first three-plus rounds.
33:01And then all of a sudden, Maldonado got his wake-up call.
33:05And, you know, for some reason, Donair went into a southpaw stance,
33:08which seemed to be uncalled for at the time.
33:10He was dominating in an orthodox stance.
33:13Inexplicable.
33:14And, you know, this reminds us that Maldonado has been ranked in the top ten
33:17in a couple of organizations regularly.
33:19That draw with Christian Maharas, who's a very, very good fighter,
33:24you know, it's not an aberration.
33:25He is a good fighter, Luis Maldonado.
33:28That was a great accomplishment.
33:29Right to the top of the head there with the right hand by Donair
33:31that skipped the challenger back.
33:42It's been a little harder for Donair to land those straight rights and the left hooks.
33:46They just can't stop that bleeding around the right eye of Maldonado.
33:51They pretty much have the rest of it under control, which is an accomplishment.
33:57Jimmy Montoya earning his money and working on those cuts, that's for sure.
34:04Ron Borges from ESPN.com.
34:09Keith Eidek, Herald News and the Record in New Jersey.
34:13Jack Obermeyer, Boxing Digest.
34:16They have it all for Donair.
34:20Donair, I've got Donair winning 39-36.
34:26Or 37, I'm sorry.
34:29Midway through the fifth, it's scheduled for 12 for the IBF flyweight title.
34:38I mean, earlier, Maldonado's face was just drenched in blood.
34:41It was a pool of blood.
34:43And now it's just, at least it's limited to just the right side of his face.
34:48You know, I'm thinking of this for small favors.
34:51Nonito Donair has been much more timidly.
34:53Body shot by Donair.
34:55Great shot downstairs in the last round or two.
34:58No.
35:00No.
35:00No.
35:01No.
35:01No.
35:02No.
35:02Donair missing a lot more now.
35:06Twice there.
35:07And that one was blocked.
35:08Those last two blocked by Maldonado.
35:11Maldonado gaining in confidence despite the way his face looks.
35:14There's a straight left hand that's scored by Maldonado.
35:17He's got Donair backing up.
35:20But as he's backing up, a nice left hook by Donair.
35:23Donair will always be looking for that counter left hook.
35:27And he's come back in this round with some good shots and there's the hook again.
35:30Donair is surgically picking Maldonado apart in the last minute.
35:36With very fast hands.
35:40Blurring speed.
35:44Maldonado missing.
35:47Throwing from too far out.
35:49Because he's felt the power of Donair.
35:57Good left hand there by Maldonado right on the nose.
36:27You need to throw all hard punches.
36:31Well, they wanted, they just, his dad urging him to throw to the body.
36:34And there is Donair with a great right hand downstairs.
36:38Maldonado, while I don't think he won that round, did have his moments.
36:43Lands a good straight left hand from the southpaw stance.
36:54David Zayas, one of the stars of the critically acclaimed series, Dexter, here on Showtime.
37:01And they've seen some blood on that show as well, I think, haven't they?
37:06But maybe more sometimes than we're even seeing from the face of Maldonado.
37:13Round six, scheduled for 12.
37:17For the IBF Flyweight Championship.
37:22Donito Donair, the champion of the red with the white trim.
37:26Luis Maldonado, ranked number four.
37:29The challenger on the green and red and white.
37:31Keep him up, keep him up, come on.
37:33A right hand early on by Donair opened up the cut.
37:39Around the left eye of Maldonado, then the right side started to get bloodied.
37:43And they've got part of it under control, but it continues to bleed from the left eye.
37:51There again is the left hook.
37:53Whenever Maldonado comes in with his right jab and lunges, or even with his left hand,
37:58he gets nailed with that counter left hook by Nonito Donair.
38:02And you've got to like a guy who listens to his father.
38:04Nonito Donair going to the body.
38:08Like Dad said.
38:09Yeah, and he's good body punch to Donair.
38:11Very good.
38:16Donair has been 12 rounds one time, beat Oscar Andrade in that match.
38:24Maldonado is 1-0-1.
38:26He's won a match and had that draw with Maharas over 12 rounds.
38:28So as we head into these middle and later rounds, that's something to think about.
38:39Donair pinning Maldonado against the ropes.
38:41That's not where you want to be if you're Maldonado.
38:47We're seeing a real lesson in how resilient Luis Maldonado is.
38:54How can anyone have a worse opening three rounds than he did?
38:57And yet here he is in the middle of this fight, while probably not winning these rounds,
39:01at least being somewhat competitive.
39:09Yeah, Donair was in complete and utter control in the early going.
39:14And then all of a sudden, Maldonado started to come back a little bit.
39:19Donair with the counter right.
39:21Oh, he's now letting his hands go, Donair.
39:23Nice left-right combination upstairs.
39:25Drilled him again with the right hand.
39:26Goes downstairs to the body.
39:28That was a little low, though.
39:29Yeah, now Donair has to be careful.
39:30He's throwing rights to the body and also throwing uppercuts from way out.
39:33And Maldonado's trying to counter him with his left.
39:36That could be a dangerous thing for Donair to do.
39:38Oh, straight right hand right on the nose by Donair.
39:42That shook Maldonado up momentarily.
39:44But he comes firing back.
39:47Tough kid, Maldonado.
39:51And he's scoring.
39:57It was almost like a wake-up call from Maldonado.
40:00He got better after he got drilled.
40:02And he continues to come forward.
40:07Talk about guts.
40:15One man at a time.
40:20One man at a time.
40:20One man at a time.
40:27Come on, dude.
40:28Seven pounds.
40:31Siete round, dude.
40:32Come on.
40:33Let's go.
40:33You've got to keep going.
40:38That's how we're going to get him.
40:41Listen to me, and you're going to win.
40:44Don't let him keep going at you.
40:46Hit him back.
40:47Keep that right hand going.
40:51Well, Donair has planted lots of left hooks, but that was one of the lead right hands that
40:56he was able to get in.
40:57There's the uppercut from the outside by Donair, and then a right hand.
41:00And he gets nailed by Maldonado.
41:02So sometimes Donair getting his right hand low for a variety of reasons of getting nailed.
41:07But clearly a round, Donair won, but an exciting one nonetheless.
41:11And we had a round seven.
41:13Who thought it would go this far after the way it started?
41:19Maldonado, the kind of fighter that just doesn't back down.
41:23You know, you ask yourself, if Luis Maldonado was just a little more powerful, you know,
41:29when he's been in, we saw him against Darchini, we mentioned the Maharas fight, here he is
41:33against Donair.
41:34In his big test, it's not as if he can't land some punches, he's just not a big hitter.
41:39And he took some punishing, I mean, really wretched shots from Darchini, and he's taken
41:45a few here, too.
41:46Boy, is he ever.
41:47And he comes back even stronger afterwards.
41:50Now, the left hand of Maldonado now getting in from time to time, but, and you know, Donair
41:55will be tested, and as we look at the press roll score, Donair in charge.
42:02I have it 59-55 for Donair.
42:08Donair on the march.
42:19You know, later on, Danny Santiago is going to face Antonio Tarver, the left hand.
42:25Santiago has good double left hooks.
42:27He could be watching Donair land those left hooks and pick up a few things against, about
42:33how to deal with the left.
42:35That'll be our second co-main event later tonight.
42:38In between, you'll see Vernon Forrest and Michele Piccirillo for the WBC Super Wilderweight Championship.
42:45Nice counter right hand by Nonito Donair.
42:48He is a very skilled and well-polished fighter.
42:58His brother, Glenn Donair, is not here.
43:01He's getting ready for a fight himself.
43:03Good right hand there by Nonito.
43:06Glenn also fought Vic Darchinian.
43:08Darchinian broke his jaw, broke Donair's jaw in that fight, and Nonito able to avenge his
43:14brother's defeat.
43:15And his brother really more of a junior fly, so that was kind of moving up in weight for
43:19him.
43:19Yeah, Nonito physically bigger.
43:22Different kind of a fighter than Glenn.
43:25Nonito more technical.
43:27There's a nice slap took to the chin.
43:29Well, if there was any part of Nonito Donair's preparation for this fight that he did skimp on
43:36because of all the trips to the Philippines and all the rest going on, we're going to
43:41find out maybe because Maldonado may take him the distance here.
43:46So far, we don't see any evidence of it.
43:48Donair has been excellent.
43:52Yeah, he's won just about every round, and he has rocked Maldonado.
43:56There's another big shot by Donair on the sweeping left, puts Maldonado down.
44:02Down for only the second time in his career.
44:07Seven, eight.
44:09Well, he got up, though, like a rocket.
44:11And it was at the end of the round, fortunately, from Maldonado.
44:22Sit down.
44:26You're okay.
44:27You're okay.
44:30Sit down and relax.
44:32How are you feeling?
44:35you feeling okay
44:37you want to go out there
44:44well
44:44Nonito Donair dramatically
44:46ends that round a big uppercut
44:49that's the one that started the problem
44:50for Maldonado and then this left hook
44:53sends him to the canvas
44:54great uppercut on the inside by Donair
44:56that froze Maldonado
44:58there it is look at him he's just
45:00got froze right there and then
45:03got hit with the big left hook by
45:04Nonito Donair
45:08Donair
45:13Donair
45:26bring me here
45:30boxer come here
45:32they want the ringside physician to check Maldonado out
45:39and they say fight on
45:46somebody asked Maldonado the car do you want to continue
45:49what did you expect him to say
45:51I mean after what we've seen in his career
45:53not only tonight
45:54he's seen him a number of times
45:55he never quits he has no quit
45:59really just a gritty performer
46:02Donair I think wants to go out there and get him out in this round
46:05I feel the resolve
46:06that he would like to end this fight
46:10the only other time Maldonado went down was back in June 06 against guess who
46:15there's a running theme here
46:17Victor Chinyan
46:18it was round six and it was a straight left
46:21this was more of a left hook
46:23and you know what's interesting
46:24and Victor Chinyan is
46:26sitting and watching this bout
46:27which he might be
46:28one of the things that might give him a little
46:30oh that's right by Donair
46:32a little
46:33cost for optimism
46:34is the amount of straight lefts that Maldonado has landed
46:36here's a barrage by Donair
46:40the referee looking very closely
46:43but he lets it go on
46:45as Donair just let up momentarily
46:47Charlie Dwyer right on top of the situation
46:50third man of the ring
46:53Donair looking to end it in dramatic fashion
46:56keep up keep up
46:58oh belting him to the body with the left
47:01and that is it
47:02Nonito Donair scores a TKO in round eight
47:07good job by Charlie Dwyer stepping in at that moment
47:10he gave it every opportunity and then
47:12excuse me
47:13enough was in it
47:15and
47:17as gutty and gritty as Maldonado is
47:20no argument
47:22stay back stay back
47:25bring your hand
47:29over heard
47:30Nonito Donair say
47:31he hurt his hand back in the second round
47:33what was that seven
47:35or eight
47:37damn
47:38almost that union
47:39I guess he wanted a seventh round
47:43KO
47:43got it in the eighth
47:45well
47:46Nonito Donair didn't
47:48knock him out earlier than Darchinian
47:50but
47:50he got the knockout
47:54we'll look at the right hand
47:56in the last round
47:57that
47:58started the problem
47:59perfect
48:00straight right hand
48:01through the guard
48:04and then Donair knew that if he could just throw enough punches
48:07he might get this fight stopped
48:09and he blasted away
48:11Charlie Dwyer
48:12did a very good job of letting this fight go to the point where
48:16he gave Maldonado a chance at least
48:19but then was able to step in
48:20just at the moment where this fighter was in trouble
48:23good job by referee
48:25and for Maldonado
48:27enough
48:27and what else
48:28the left hook
48:29was the punctuating
48:31punch
48:32and why not
48:33it's been such an important one
48:35during the course of this fight
48:36for Donair
48:36that actually
48:37half left hook
48:38half uppercut
48:39but
48:40Nonito Donair
48:41you said it before the fight
48:43you said he wanted to show
48:43he wasn't a one-punch wonder
48:45a lot more than that
48:47good stoppage by Charlie Dwyer
48:51and we're set now for the official time
48:53let's get it up to our ring announcer
48:55Jimmy Lennon Jr
48:57ladies and gentlemen
48:59we have the time of one minute
49:0016 seconds
49:02in round number eight
49:03our referee in charge
49:04Charlie Dwyer stops the contest
49:06he is the winner by way of technical knockout
49:09he is still
49:10the IBF
49:12and
49:12IBF
49:14flyweight
49:15champion of the world
49:16the Filipino
49:17Flash
49:18Nonito
49:21Donair
49:22so his fans celebrate
49:26the dream ride continues
49:27for Nonito Donair
49:29holds on to the IBF
49:30flyweight belt
49:31his first successful
49:32defense
49:33will we see
49:34a Donair
49:35Darchinian rematch
49:36Darchinian has certainly
49:38called out for it
49:39possible fight
49:40with Jorge Arce
49:41Filipino Flash
49:42Nonito Donair moves on
49:45and right now
49:46our Jim Gray is up in the ring
49:47standing by with the champion
49:48Jim
49:49alright Steve
49:50thank you very much
49:50Nonito congratulations to you
49:52in your first title defense
49:53did you hurt your hand
49:54early in the fight
49:55well you know
49:56I've always had that problem
49:57so you know
49:58but it's okay
49:59you know I got the victory
50:01but one thing that bothered me most
50:02was my legs
50:03I could not move
50:04I could not move
50:05that's why I felt so sluggish
50:06I just I didn't have my legs today
50:08you know
50:09and that's why I relied on my power
50:11most of the time
50:11back to the hand
50:12is that the reason you haven't taken off the glove
50:15it's okay
50:15like I said
50:16it's okay
50:16and I've had the problem
50:17before you know
50:18every fighter has it
50:19but it's good
50:21it's good
50:22you decided in the fourth round
50:24to switch
50:25and become a southpaw fighter
50:27what made you make that decision
50:28when things were going so well
50:29he was kind of awkward
50:30when you know
50:31I'm used to fighting lefty
50:32but he was just
50:34you know
50:35I guess I had my
50:36my Darchinian lefty style
50:37so it was weird
50:38to see him fight like that
50:39I could not counter him
50:40with my uppercut
50:41and every time I tried to come up
50:43with the right
50:43he already blocked it
50:44so I was trying to just
50:45like I said
50:46if I had my legs
50:47it would have been a lot easier
50:48but I couldn't move
50:50so I relied most of my body movement
50:52upper body movement
50:53and I just tried to counter him
50:55as much as I can
50:56and you know
50:58just the awkwardness of his lefty
51:00I mean he wasn't awkward
51:01but he was a lot defensive
51:02because he had a longer arm
51:04so I couldn't really
51:04get through my uppercuts
51:06and hooks with him
51:07and he was very courageous as well
51:09as we take a look
51:09at the end of the fight here
51:11did you ever feel
51:12that you were in peril
51:13or did you know
51:13once you bloodied his eyes
51:14and once you controlled
51:15that it wasn't going to be a problem
51:16I know he was a tough fighter
51:17you know
51:18I didn't doubt him
51:19you know
51:19I mean I respect him a lot
51:21he is a great fighter
51:22you know
51:22he was tough
51:22because see look
51:23I hit him with a good uppercut
51:25and that was right in the button
51:26you know
51:27and you know
51:28he has a lot of courage
51:29and I respect him a lot for that
51:30and he gave me a hell of a fight
51:32you know
51:32and what now
51:33what would you like to do now
51:34Manito
51:34my promoter is here
51:36you know
51:36he got me this fight
51:37he made me who I am today
51:38and you know
51:39I mean
51:40I guess my validation was today
51:42although I didn't feel
51:43100%
51:43because like
51:44you know
51:44my legs was in there
51:45my whole body was in there
51:46but you know
51:47whatever's next
51:48I'm up for it
51:49I'm a fighter
51:50and that's all I know
51:51I'm sorry
51:52I'm running out of breath
51:53it's okay
51:53I know
51:54they're celebrating
51:54back in the Philippines
51:55quickly Gary
51:56do you have another
51:57opponent in mind
51:58no not necessarily
51:59we want to unify
52:00Manito wants to be
52:01the first Filipino
52:02I want to be
52:03to do that first
52:04I mean
52:04I know Pacquiao
52:05and everybody else
52:05you know
52:06I respect him a lot
52:07they're so great
52:07you know
52:08I'm happy for my country
52:09we have a fourth world champion now
52:11and you know
52:12that's one thing
52:13I want to do
52:13before everybody else does
52:14you know
52:15it's a record
52:16it's something that
52:17I've always looked for
52:18ever since I was young
52:19congratulations
52:19I'm sure there'll be
52:20another parade
52:21and enjoy your time
52:22at the presidential palace again
52:23thank you so much
52:23I would like to thank
52:24Arturo
52:25I'll let Jim
52:25and everybody in the Philippines
52:26thank you so much
52:27I love you guys
52:28I'm just so thankful for it
52:30and show time
52:30thank you so much
52:31thank you Jim
52:31and congratulations to you
52:33alright Steve
52:33back to you
52:34thank you very much
52:35Jim
52:35very good natured
52:36Nonito Donair
52:37good natured
52:38and skilled
52:38in the ring
52:39beats a very brave
52:41Luis Maldonado
52:42we'll see how the scoring
52:44went for Donair
52:45and Maldonado
52:46they're the official
52:47ringside judges
52:48they saw it this way
52:49Clark Sammartino
52:50had Donair ahead
52:51the same way
52:52George Smith had it
52:5370-62
52:54and Don Trella
52:55had it a little closer
52:57had Donair ahead
52:5869-63
52:59yeah this at the time
53:00of the stoppage
53:01I had it 69-63
53:03so clearly
53:04most everybody
53:05giving a big edge
53:06to Donair at that point
53:07and our panel
53:08of press row
53:09judges saw it this way
53:11Ron Borges
53:11from ESPN.com
53:13had Donair up by
53:1469-63
53:16Keith Idick
53:16from the Herald News
53:17and the Record
53:1870-62 Donair
53:19and Jack Obelmeyer
53:20from Boxing Digest
53:21had it the same way
53:23as Ron Borges
53:24so there you have it
53:26as far as the scoring
53:27is concerned
53:28coming up later
53:28from Foxwood
53:29two-time
53:30light heavyweight champion
53:31Antonio Topper
53:32will take
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