Nicholas Walters concluded the fight against Nonito Donaire with a technical knockout win in round six at a sold-out StubHub Arena in Carson, California Saturday night.
The first few rounds of the bout started slow. Walters tried to establish his jab while Donaire threw his dangerous left hook. Donaire landed a combination to Walters' head and body at the second round. Walters still worked on his job but Donaire answered with a strong and heavy combination causing the challenger to collapse into the referee's arms.
It was in round four that Walters finally found his strength when his long jabs consistently landed Donaire. Walters also fired up two hooks that snapped Donaire's head. Blood dripped from a cut in his right eye.
The two fighters exchanged shots during round five. Walters connected with a big right hand on Donaire's body. Walters had taken over the bout. Donaire was not deterred and found Walters with a lead right hand but unlike his powerful left hook, Walters was able to absorb the punch. Two right hands landed Donaire, one off the temple and the last near the back of his head and the former dropped his face on the ring's canvass.
The fight was waved at 2:59 of round six.
Before the fight, many believed that Donaire, 31, the featherweight title holder has "bitten off more than he can chew" by facing the younger secondary featherweight titlist Walters, 28, who appears to have advantages over him with the former's crunching power and stance. Donaire, however, remained confident on the fight he picked. He told ESPN.com, "He (Walters) can try his best. He's a very talented and hard-punching fighter, a very dangerous fighter. But I feel it's not time yet for me to give up my position."
It was the first knock out defeat for Donaire with Walters earning the WBA World Featherweight title with a record of 25-0 with 21 knockouts.
