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Donaire calls out Magdaleno for ‘immediate rematch’

Photo / Mikey Williams-Top Rank
Fighters Network
10
Nov

LAS VEGAS – With the wounds from his loss most recent fight still healing, Nonito Donaire Jr. voiced his desire for an “immediate rematch” with newly-crowned WBO junior featherweight champion Jessie Magdaleno.

Donaire (37-4, 23 knockouts) lost a unanimous decision this past Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center to Magdaleno (24-0, 17 knockouts) by the scores of 116-112 on two cards and the absurd margin of 118-110 on a third. Though he lagged behind in several of the middle rounds, “The Filipino Flash” started finding the target with his straight right more frequently in the late rounds, particularly in the 12th.

“I’ve learned a lot, that’s one thing,” Donaire told RingTV.com at his Las Vegas home. “I’m truly blessed to know exactly what to do the next time around. And that’s why I go out there and bring it out there for an immediate rematch with Jessie. I knew it was an incredible fight and everybody loved it. The second time or third time will be an amazing thing to do.



“I never thought that I lost the fight, I was the one getting out there, I was the one landing cleaner punches, it wasn’t every round that he had numerous amount of punches over me. I made the fight happen, I was the aggressor. For him it was a survival thing, especially the later rounds.”

The fight, a mandatory defense, was Donaire’s first time working with new trainer Ismael Salas, who replaced Donaire’s father who is based in the Bay Area. Donaire, 33, says that he started to adjust in the later rounds to the plan that Salas and he had laid out. Still, Donaire, a four-division champion, gives his respect to Magdaleno, 25, for his performance.

Donaire says he’s yet to speak with his promoter Bob Arum or manager Cameron Dunkin about a rematch but says Magdaleno was open to one when they spoke after the fight.

“[Magdaleno] said that ‘we’ll definitely give you a rematch, we have great respect for you,’ and vice versa. I have great respect for him and from the words that you say, I hope that you’re true to your words,” said Donaire.

Donaire says he’ll take the rest of the week off and return to the gym to prepare for what comes next.

“Definitely once everything heals, maybe not this week but the following week, get back into it, strengthen my body and get ready for a rematch,” said Donaire.

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