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The WBO Junior Featherweight title is no longer vacant after Filipino-American boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. won over Mexican boxer Cesar Juarez by unanimous decision. The bout was held on Friday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The scores were 116-110, 116-110 and 117-109, reports Rappler. Donaire used to hold titles in four weight classes. He lost to Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2013, but Donaire got a shot at the title after WBO stripped it from Rigondeaux because of his inactivity.
In the first round, Donaire stunned his foe with a counter right hand and knocked down twice Juarez in the fourth round using his left hook. However, the Mexican boxer managed to stand up each time.
But halfway the 12-round battle, Donaire, 33, limped after he turned his ankle and had swelling on his left eye. Juarez, 24, gave Donaire a right eye cut in round 7 and knocked out the FilAm in round 10.
It is Donaire's first title after Jamaican boxer Nicholas Walters knocked him out in October 2014 and got the WBA Featherweight title. He credits that loss for making him realize that he was not giving boxing the respect it deserves.
"I was searching for something. I was unsatisfied. I went home and re-dedicated myself to the sport. I worked harder in the gym. I got out of bed early in the morning and did my running," ESPN quotes Donaire in a pre-fight interview.
