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Nonito Donaire – Jessie Magdaleno By the Numbers

donaire-viloria-win-by-ko (Copy)By Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini

Four-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, 37-3, 24 KO’s will be defending his WBO World Super Bantamweight title against undefeated Jessie Magdaleno at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas (NV) this coming Saturday. The 33-year old Donaire, attempting to stay relevant in the boxing world, is still looking for marquee fights with bigger names if he is successful in making the second defense of his title. However, he has a daunting task ahead this weekend if he is hoping to remain in the picture for possible future matchups with Carl Frampton and Jonathon Guzman. Magdaleno is the mandatory challenger for the WBO title.

Hall-of-Fame bound Donaire won his first world title back in 2007 when he stopped Vic Darchinyan in the 5th round for the IBF Flyweight title. In 2011, “The Filipino Flash” destroyed Fernando Montiel in two rounds to claim the WBC and WBO World Bantamweight championship. Then, in 2012, Donaire won the vacant WBO World Super Bantamweight title by split decision over Wilfredo Vasquez JR., followed by winning the WBA Super Featherweight championship by technical decision over Simpiwe Vetyeka two years later in 2014.

Donaire Nonito, who has revitalized his career after two lopsided losses (Nicholas Walters TKO 6, Guillermo Rigondeaux UD12), won the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight belt for a second time when he defeated Cesar Juarez by unanimous decision last December. Donaire has won four consecutive bouts and scored three knockdowns en route to his April title defense in the Philippines.

The 24-year old Jessie Magdaleno, 23-0, 17 KO’s is a serious threat to Donaire’s crown. Jessie spoke out about his fighting style saying, “When I fight, I can be a boxer and at the same time, I can be a brawler. My game, I usually put the pressure on more. After my first professional fight, I kind of noticed that I still sort of fighting like an amateur, throwing an outrageous amount of punches and using my speed a lot more”.

“After that fight, me and Diego [trainer], we worked hard and he taught me a lot of stuff that I kept my eyes open on, from calming down, using the ring more, being a boxer instead of always being a brawler”.

Nonito Donaire is counting on his experience and timeless passion for boxing to retain his World Boxing Organization super-bantamweight belt. “Experience has to be desire, as well. You always need tenacity and determination because youth and experience don’t matter unless you have your mind, body and soul into preparing yourself,” Donaire said. “And then I’ll utilize my experience of knowing exactly where the kid’s going to be.”

Jessie Magdaleno sees things differently and expects to elevate his status in the boxing world. “I think his best days are behind him,” Magdaleno said. “All of those big fights, they take a lot out of you and it’s part of boxing. You’ve got a young, hungry guy who just wants to take over the world, and that’s me”.

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