MANILA, Philippines - It didn’t take long for Nonito Donaire Jr. to announce that he still has what it takes to be called a champion once more.
The Filipino Flash, who was knocked out last October, was his old self, deadly and explosive, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Donaire needed less than two rounds to finish off Brazil’s William Prado and clinch the WBC NABF super-bantamweight crown.
In the featured bout, Donnie Nietes used his right straight to send Gilberto Parra down and eventually out.
Nietes scored a knockdown in the eighth round and went for the kill in the ninth. A big right jolted the Mexican and blood started to ooze from the cut.
During the break, the ring physician ordered the referee to stop the fight.
Nietes was almost getting ready for the ninth round when the fight was halted. Then he ran across the ring to celebrate the win.
The victory enabled Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, to keep his WBO junior flyweight crown.
“I knew if I hit him with my right straight he will go down. I hit him and he went down. I was patient,” said Nietes.
Asked about his future plan, which may include moving up and challenging for the flyweight title, he said, “No decision yet.”
The 32-year-old Donaire, a multi-division world champion, was landing his left hooks in the first round and had the Brazilian covering up.
In the second, Donaire threw his best punches and landed most of them. He was pounding on Prado when referee Bruce McTavish stopped the fight.
The end came in the 2:16 mark of the second round.
“He is back!” ring announcer Ted Lerner blurted on the microphone as the crowd cheered Donaire on.
At the center of the ring, Donaire thanked the fans and dedicated his victory to the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers).
“Mahal na mahal na mahal na mahal ko kayo lahat (I love you all very much),” said Donaire, who vowed to win the world title once more, this time at 122 lb.
“Anybody. “I’m all in,” said Donaire, who’s eyeing a rematch with Guillermo Rigondeaux by the end of the year.
Albert “Prince” Pagara kept the crowd alive and kicking with his impressive win over Mexico’s Rodolfo “Fofo” Hernandez.
Pagara, who loves to dye his hair in different colors, scored an early knockdown, landing a lead right that sent the Mexican reeling down the canvas.