Photos: Donaire Drops Vazquez, Wins Decision and WBO Title

Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas – In his first fight at 122-pounds, Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18 KO) won a twelve round split decision over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-2-1, 18 KO) to capture the vacant WBO super bantamweight title. The judges had it 115-112 for Vazquez, and two scores of 117-110 for Donaire. No clue how a judge could have this fight 115-112 for Vazquez.

From the opening bell, Donaire was the sharper, busier and more accurate fighter. Donaire lets his hands go in the third round, after stunning Vazquez with a looping left hand. Vazquez fought his way off the ropes and stayed defensive. In the fourth and fifth, Vazquez was sticking to his left jab but still getting punished with harder punches. In the sixth, Donaire’s eyes were starting to show some bruising from Vazquez’s jabs. Donaire started switching to southpaw to give Vazquez a different look.

Vazquez became braver in the seventh round and started fighting Donaire on the inside. In the ninth round, Donaire landed a three punch combination to send Vazquez down for the first time in his career. The Puerto Rican boxer made it to the bell. In the three remaining hards, Donaire continued to work harder and his punches were more accurate.

By Osman Rodriguez

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