Jessie Magdaleno lands a left to Nonito Donaire’s face.
(AP)
JESSIE Magdaleno made a proper introduction into the boxing world after a stunning victory over Nonito Donaire via unanimous decision Sunday (Manila time) at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The 24-year-old challenger walked away with Donaire’s WBO World super bantamweight title as he upped his undefeated record to 24-0 (win-loss) while the 33-year-old former champion slipped to 37-4 and saw his four-fight win streak come to an end.
“We definitely won the fight. Losing never crossed my mind,” said Donaire, who did well at the end of the rounds late in the fight. “I never thought I could lose this. I had a great second half and I thought I controlled the fight.”
Magdaleno, who was ahead in all three score cards, 116-112, 116-112, 118-110, pressed the issue in the ninth round when he pinned Donaire in the ropes and unleashed multiple combinations to the head of the champion.
In the 10th, the Filipino wobbled Magdaleno with good rights to the head at the beginning and end of the round. The two traded heavy blows in the 12th with the crowd on its feet for the final round.
“I worked so hard for this,” Magdaleno said. “I don’t have words to describe it.”