Quality, not quantity wins it for Donaire

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. threw the punches that mattered as he outpointed Jeffrey Mathebula yesterday and left the Home Depot Center in Carson, California wearing two championship belts.

Donaire, now holder of the WBO and IBF super-bantamweight titles, chose quality over quantity.

Based on the official punch stats, the 33-year-old Mathebula threw a total of 919 punches and landed 231 of them for a batting average of 25 percent.

Donaire threw only 515 punches the whole 12 rounds, connecting 151 times for a higher percentage of 29.

In the days before the fight, Mathebula said he’s twice as good as Donaire. Yes, he threw almost twice the number of punches. But they weren’t as good.

Mathebula used his long jab to hold Donaire at bay, but after being floored in the closing seconds of the fourth, he started using his long legs to stay out of trouble.

Mathebula threw 611 jabs and landed 140 times, more than doubling Donaire’s 254 jabs (only 49 of them landing).

It was in only the power punches department where Donaire enjoyed the upperhand, going 102-of-261 compared to Mathebula’s 91-of-308.

Mathebula simply threw more punches.

Yet, there seemed to be less power or none at all behind them. It was Donaire who delivered the punch of the night: a short left hook late in the fourth round.

It sent Mathebula down in the canvas. He beat the count, and was saved by the bell.

Later on, after unifying the WBO and IBF titles, Donaire vowed to face the challenges up ahead, including possible fights with WBC champion Abner Mares of Hawaiian Gardens, WBA king Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba or former titlist Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan.

Donaire said he wants to “clean up” the 122 lb division before thinking of moving up in weight.

“My goal is always to be an undisputed champion with the three belts, no one has ever done it. One more belt (at 122 lb) and I’m good to go to 126,” he said.

After 12 rounds, the Donaire was way ahead on all three scorecards: 117-110, 118-109, and 119-108.

For Donaire, these were the only numbers that mattered.