Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Jessie Magdaleno captured the WBO junior featherweight title after scoring a unanimous decision victory over Nonito Donaire Jr.
Two judges scored the fight 116-112, while another had it 118-110, all three in favor of Magdaleno.
Donaire started slowly in the early rounds as he struggled to land clean blows. He then found his way through in the fourth round as he opened a cut on Magdaleno’s left eyebrow.
Magdaleno, who is nine years younger, clearly maximized his youthful advantage at the middle rounds with counterpunches.
Donaire had an efficient outing with 132 landed punches on 404 thrown punches, while Magdaleno had 154 landed on 500 thrown.
Magdaleno’s biggest highlight of the match was when he sent Donaire to the ropes at the ninth round then followed by a flurry of punches which put the Filipino on full defensive mode.
Magdaleno remained undefeated and improved to a record of 24-0 after dethroning the Filipino Flash who suffered his fourth setback of his boxing career.
