Donaire, nabawi ang WBO super bantamweight title.

Balik sa trono si Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire Jr., at muling nasungkit ang WBO super bantamweight title makaraang talunin nito si Mexican opponent Cesar Juarez via 12-round unanimous decision kahapon sa San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Dalawang beses pinabagsak ni Donaire si Juarez sa fourth round ngunit matapang na bumalik ang Mexican upang maging dikdikan ang laban sa mga huling round.

Pumabor kay Juarez ang twisted ankle na natamo ni Donaire na sa second half ng laban kung saan ay nakapagpatama ang Mexican ng ilang wild punches, dahilan para magkaroon ng cut sa kanang mata ang Filipino boxer.

“The guy was strong. I give it to him. I think that was the toughest fight I’ve ever been in my life. It was an amazing fight,” ani Donaire matapos ang laban.

SA 10th round, nagpakawala ng isang left hook si Juarez na bahagyang tumama sa sentido ni Donaire na nawalan ng balanse at tuluyang napaluhod.

Ngunit idineklara ni referee Ramon Pena na nadulas lamang si Donaire at hindi bumagsak dahil sa suntok.

Natapos ang laban sa iskor na 117-109 at dalawang 116-110 lahat pabor kay Donaire.

“If I had more time to train and more experience, I would have won. The judges were not fair. It was much closer, like a one- or two-point fight. But I do think Donaire won,” pahayag ni Juarez.

Dahil sa panalo ay naiuwi ni Donaire ang bakanteng World Boxing Organization (WBO) superbantamweight crown, ang isa sa limang dibisyon na pinagharian ng US-based boxing champion.

“I will definitely give him a rematch,” ani Donaire. “I’m not taking anything away from him.”

Dahil sa panalo ay naitaas ni Donaire ang kaniyang record sa 36-3, 23 by knockouts habang laglag sa 17-4, 13 by KO ang record ni Juarez.

“I’ll never be done until you take me down.’ I’m never gonna give up. I was going to keep pushing. It was such a blessing,” ani Donaire. (DENNIS PRINCIPE)