Nonito Donaire falls to Riku Masuda as corner stops fight in 8th round

Filipino boxing legend Nonito Donaire bowed to Riku Masuda in their bantamweight title eliminator on Sunday evening, March 15, in Yokohama, Japan.

 

 

 

 

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Donaire’s corner threw in the towel in the eighth round after the 43-year-old veteran absorbed a sustained barrage from the younger Japanese contender.

Masuda, now 10-1 with nine knockouts, began asserting control in the sixth round when he landed a crushing shot that forced Donaire back against the ropes.

Donaire’s biggest moment came while he was trying to survive, showing he remained dangerous even from a desperate position. “The Filipino Flash” fired back with a sharp left hook followed by a right hand that briefly staggered the 28-year-old Masuda.

Masuda, however, quickly regained momentum in the seventh as his punches began landing with greater accuracy. Just before the bell, he connected with a straight left that sent Donaire to the canvas.

The knockdown set the stage for the finish. Masuda continued to press the action in the eighth round until Donaire’s corner stepped in to stop the bout.

The defeat marked the second straight loss for Donaire, whose record fell to 43-10 with 28 knockouts. Donaire previously suffered a split-decision loss to Japan’s Seiya Tsutsumi in December.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News