Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire connects with a left to Omar Narvaez of Argentina in the WBC, WBO World Bantamweight Titles bout at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 22, 2011. CHRIS TROTMAN/AFP
NEW YORK – Filipino fighter Nonito Donaire retained his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight titles Saturday with a 12-round unanimous decision over Argentina’s Omar Navarez.
Donaire improved to 27-1 and stretched his nine-year winning streak to 26 fights.
The three judges at ringside at the Theater at Madison Square Garden all scored it 120-108 in favor of Donaire, who dealt Navarez the first defeat of his 11-year pro career.
However, the crowd of 4,425 was unhappy with the lack of action and Donaire’s inability to break through the challenger’s defenses for the knockout.
Donaire won the title with a convincing second-round knockout of Fernando Montiel in Las Vegas in February.
Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire connects with a left to Omar Narvaez of Argentina in the WBC, WBO World Bantamweight Titles bout at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 22, 2011. CHRIS TROTMAN/AFP
The 28-year-old southpaw, fighting in New York for the first time, was looking comfortable by the fourth round, when he began landing more punches and backed Navarez into the ropes with a combination.
Navarez, also a southpaw, went into a defensive shell, keeping his clenched hands in front of his face as he seemed happy to let the bout go the distance.
When Donaire managed to land some uppercuts late in the 10th round, the crowd went wild but they reverted to jeers as the pace dropped off in the 11th.
Donaire was not too happy either.
“I don’t know what’s going on in his head,” he said of Navarez’ passive stance. “He didn’t want to fight.”
In Manila, Malacanang immediately congratulated Donaire for his victory.
Philippine boxer Nonito Donaire celebrates defeating Omar Narvaez of Argentina and defending his WBC, WBO World Bantamweight Titles at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 22, 2011. CHRIS TROTMAN/AFP
“Congratulations to the Filipino Flash…We’re all very proud of you,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.
Valte said Donaire’s win showed that “it’s not only the (people’s champ) Cong. Manny Pacquiao who does us proud when it comes to the boxing arena.”
She said the country has many good boxers and underscored the need for the country to continue to support them. With report from Christine Avendano, Philippine Daily Inquirer