Donaire Stops Nishioka In 9 In Stinker;
Admits He Doesn't Want To Fight Rigondeaux

By Bret "The Threat" Newton
Photo: Chris Farina - Top Rank
 

Nonito Donaire (now 30-1, 19 KO's) retained the WBO Junior Featherweight Title by stopping Toshiaki Nishioka in the 9th round in a truly dull fight from start to finish. Any time you have a right-handed fighter vs. a southpaw you usually get awkward, less-than-thrilling fights. Add an unwillingness to exchange to one fighter and an injured hand to another then you really have a snoozer.

Nishioka spent 5 rounds doing basically nothing but hold his right hand up to protect himself from left hooks. Donaire did just enough to win every round, but later said he could not do more because he injured his left hand. In round 6, a left uppercut put Nishioka on the seat of his pants. Upon arriving to his feet, Nishioka and Donaire actually exchanged for about 10 seconds in what almost turned into a real fight. That would be all we got.

The end came in round 9 when Nishioka, who could not have won a single round up to this point, was seemingly looking for a knockout. With Donaire's back against the ropes, Nishioka began to unload. The only problem was his right, hand the he kept too high the entire night, did not protect him from the right hand counter that would drop him for a second time. Nishioka would rise to his feet, but his corner threw in the towel and the referee waived the fight off at 1:54.

Nishioka falls to 39-5-3 with 24 KO's. After the fight Donaire was asked about the fight most of the boxing world has been asking for, a fight with WBA Champion Guillermo Rignondeaux. Donaire said he was not excited about that fight at all.