WBC Bantamweight World Champion and future champion Nonito Donaire scored a fourth-round knockout goal against previously undefeated Reymart Gaballo to successfully defend his title in the SHOWTIME main event. Saturday night with event title Premier Boxing Champions from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
In an all-Philippines fight, Donaire (42-6, 28 KOs) continued to build his Hall of Fame resume, hurling his signature left hook, this time into the body, to finally finish. end the match. Gaballo (24-1, 20 KOs) came out using a tall guard, clearly working to avoid that squandered left hook.
“I’ve been in this game for a long time and there’s been so many fights, I don’t think I’m going to have to kick him out,” said Donaire. “But he played differently than I thought he would. He tried to nullify my left hook, but I was unmerciful.”
Four-division world champion in his second reign with 118 pounds, Donaire can remain patient as he looks for openings for his preferred attack. Taking the advice from his corner, Donaire found his spot for a left hook in the fourth round, connecting with his body and bringing Gaballo down at the end of the round.
“My wife and father told me to go and examine the body,” said Donaire. “I had to set it up by bouncing up and down to open that shot. I threw right-handed in the previous innings and then he didn’t expect the left hook to hit him.”
While Gaballo was able to get up immediately after the hit, he quickly dropped to the floor, causing referee Ray Corona to stop the 2:59 second round.
“I thought he was going to get up because I knew he had a lot of heart, but it was a hell of a punch,” Donaire said. “I just told him after the game not to get down. Because he’s a great fighter. I’ve had a hard time finding him and I’m here to help him with whatever he needs for the rest of his career. ”
With his first WBC title defense under his belt, 39-year-old Donaire will now be looking for a rematch with unified bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, following their 2019 Match of the Year clash.
“My team’s mission is to work on the rematch against Inoue,” said Donaire. “I believe my team will make it happen. I can continue to fight at this age because I just have faith in myself and have a good lifestyle for me. There is no such thing as a cheat day. It was a choice day, and it was my choice to train and be me. ”
In the co-main event, Cody Crowley (20-0, 9 KOs) was able to make it through the knockout round early to defeat Kudratillo Abdukakhorov (18-1, 10 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 10-match match. round between the undefeated heavyweight contenders.
“I rate my performance as ‘B’ tonight,” Crowley said. He’s a tough opponent, former IBF No. 1 contender. I was defeated so I knew I would have to fight him the whole time. I knew he would run and stop and deliver awkward hits. I was prepared for that.”
The action-packed fight heated up early, as Crowley landed a powerful left arm in the second half that seemed to lock up Abdukakhorov’s knee. However, the IBF’s top-rated contender Abdukakhorov was able to connect with a left-hand straight electrical strike that landed directly on an unsuspecting Crowley and placed him on the carpet with 30 seconds left in the round. .
“I have a granite chin,” says Crowley. “That was the first time I was dropped. This was the first time my knee touched the parachute cloth in a match or in a fight. But I was not injured and I was back immediately.”
Despite being knocked down, Crowley was undaunted and continued to impose his aggressive style, stalking Abdukakhorov around the ring and jabbing spears and right hooks to the head. Abdukakhorov can deliver powerful counter punches and keep his punch accuracy rate between 31% and 23%, but can’t get past the relentless activity from Crowley.
Canadian Crowley delivered 898 punches in 10 rounds, knocking out his opponent from 206 to 123, including a power punch of 182 to 99. Crowley closed the match strong, knocking down his opponent. dropped more than 20 power punches per round in each round in the last four frames on the way to victory with the scores 98-91, 97-92 and 96-94.
“When I come to fight, it will be a hell of a fight,” Crowley said. “It will be an air battle and you will see blood. You will see men coming down. “
Unbeatable rising contender Brandun Lee (24-0, 22 KOs) defeated Juan Heraldez (16-2-1, 10 KOs) with a devastating right-hand strike that ended their weight division clash, marks the first time Lee has gone through four rounds as a pro.
“I had to watch the replay, but my dad (coach Bobby Lee) didn’t like my performance,” Lee said. “He is a perfectionist. People here thought I would get Juan out sooner, but I wanted to show everyone I could box.”
The 22-year-old impressed from the start, knocking down a powerful forehand serve early on to Heraldez in the first half, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Heraldez was able to get moments of success with counter-attacking left hooks and managed to keep the strong Lee away from him with jabs, throwing 129s throughout the skirmish.
After some closer rounds after the first round, Lee began to regain speed in round five, combining with a quick opening body attack by Heraldez for more powerful punches. By round seven, Lee was in full control of the game and was able to deliver the decisive blow, distracting Heraldez with his left hand before firing straight with his right hand to knock Heraldez out.
“I kept seeing Juan moving to his right and my right hand was up,” Lee said. “So I knew I had to stab and box him and make him forget about that right arm. Then I made the correction in the seventh inning and got him out of there.”
Finally, referee Gerard White waved his hand to count, stopping the game at 2:11 into the seventh inning. The win marks 15 consecutive knockouts for Lee as he continues his rise towards a world championship title.
“I’m ready for anyone,” Lee said. “Ultimately it’s up to my team, but I say bring them in.”
Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will replay on Sunday, December 12 at 9 a.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, and Monday, December 13 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME EXTREME.
