Nonito Donaire KOs Reymart Gaballo in Four; Crowley Wins Too in LA

STORY BY DAVID A. AVILA — In a flash Nonito Donaire discovered an opening and knocked out fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo with a single left hook to retain the WBC bantamweight world title on a cold Saturday evening.

Can he get the Monster again?

Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs), who has won world titles in three different decades, showed the freezing crowd at Dignity Health Sports Center by handing Gaballo (24-1, 23 KOs) his first loss as a pro.

“I’ve been doing this for such a long time,” Donaire said.

Should he stop tomorrow Donaire is a guaranteed future Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.

Donaire walked out into the bitter cold weather at the outdoor arena and calmly measured Gaballo’s movements and range in the first round. The bantamweight champion was precise with his movement using short chopping steps like an Olympic fencer. But they did exchange with neither fighter affected.

As both fighters entered the second round, they had done enough to work up a sweat and warm their body temperatures. Their movements were more fluid and each seemed more eager to engage. Though Gaballo was ready for the Donaire left hook, the right cross landed. Gaballo fought back.

Gaballo opened the third round with a strong right that caught Donaire but he could not follow it up. The experience of Donaire’s numerous past ring wars against numerous world champions enabled him to deflect any further punishment. He then connected with a right cross that seemed to shock Gaballo.

Donaire must have unraveled the mystery of Gaballo as he seemed more offensive-minded in the fourth round. A counter-right cross stunned Gaballo who took the blow but backed off. They soon engaged and during the exchange Donaire sliced a left hook to the liver of Gaballo and down he went. He could not get up.

Referee Ray Corona stopped the fight at 2:59 of the fourth round with Donaire winning by knockout. It was Donaire’s first defense of the WBC bantamweight title that he won in the same arena versus Nordine Oubaali last May.

“Unification. That’s what we’re going for,” said Donaire suggesting a rematch with Naoya “Monster” Inoue for his bantamweight world titles. It would be another momentous fight in the great champion’s career. But will it happen?

Other Bouts

Las Vegas fighter Cody Crowley (20-0, 9 KOs) survived an early knockdown and then proceeded to batter the number one welterweight contender Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-1, 10 KOs) for 10 rounds and win by unanimous decision. The Uzbekistani fighter was ranked number one by the IBF and was slated to fight Errol Spence Jr. But he never figured out Crowley.

Crowley used his southpaw stance to pressure and pressure the Uzbekistani in every round. Though Crowley, a Canadian through birth, was dropped in the second round with a left counter, it was merely bad form that put him in that position. For the remainder of the fight, he punched his way through to the win. All three judges scored in his favor 95-94, 97-92, 98-91.

It was an impressive performance.

Southern California’s Brandun Lee (24-0, 22 KOs) knocked out Juan Heraldez (16-2-1) with a left hook-right cross combination at 2:11 of the seventh round in their super lightweight fight. It was the first time Lee had been extended beyond four rounds.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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