MANILA – Nonito Donaire Jr. failed to seize the WBO interim world featherweight belt in a unanimous-decision loss to Carl Frampton of United Kingdom on Sunday at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
All judges scored the bout 117-111 – all in favor of the hometown bet. The defeat also shattered Donaire’s shot for another world title.
“Not taking anything away from Frampton. He is an amazing fighter, smart and tough,” Donaire said.
“I think it has already been predecided that, although I have done my best to gain weight, it’s best that I move down in weight,” he added.
Donaire was aggressive early in the opening round, landing a number of power shots on Frampton.
The UK native responded in the second and managed to create a welt under the eye of the Filipino fighter.
Frampton continued to put pressure on Donaire in the third period with counters and left power shots.
In the fourth and the fifth Frampton had several times pinned Donaire to the ropes with right straights.
Donaire gained ground in the sixth but Frampton had quick answers to the former’s single punches.
The hometown bet continued to press on Donaire in the next few rounds – widening his lead in the scorecards.
Sensing the need to catch up, Donaire came up with volume left hooks and right straight hits in the last three rounds. Still, the tired-out Frampton managed to keep the former at bay.
“I had a simple game plan: use my jab from outside and, when I get close, I start to bully him,” Frampton said.
“People say power may die toward the end but he hurt me in the 11th. Nonito Donaire is dangerous in every round,” the UK fighter added.
Donaire, 35, dropped to a 38-5-0 ring record, including 24 knockout victories, while Frampton, 31, moved up to 25-1-0, with 14 stoppage wins./PN
