The Philippine Online Chronicles

Filipino boxing superstar Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire won his fourth title in as many weight classes after defeating Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico via split decision at the Alamodome in San Antonio for the vacant WBO junior featherweight title.

In UFC 143 action, Carlos Condit made a huge upset after a unanimous decision victory over Nick Diaz for the UFC interim welterweight championship.

In the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs made what can be considered their biggest win this season after defeating the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-96, in San Antonio.

Boxing: Donaire defeats Vazquez, takes title number four

Even with a broken left hand, 29-year-old Nonito Donaire beat Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, to claim the fourth world title of his career - the vacant WBO junior featherweight title. He is only the 12^th boxer in history to accomplish this feat.

Two judges scored the bout 117-110 for Donaire, while one judge gave it to Vazquez, 115-112. This is Donaire’s first fight in the junior featherweight division.

When Donaire’s gloves were removed, his left hand was soaked in blood after it was damaged in the second round. Despite the injury, Donaire still frustrated Vazquez by using a series of counter left hooks and stinging upper cuts during the fight.

Donaire dominated round number three by sending Vazquez into the ropes. Though Vazquez tried to retaliate, the Filipino got out of trouble by dodging his wild swings.

Donaire continued to dominate the fight from rounds four to six until Vazquez came back in rounds seven and eight. Donaire then stepped on the gas in the ninth round, knocking Vazquez down with a vicious left and right combo. Though the Puerto Rican quickly stood up, Donaire landed huge bombs the rest of the fight.

With the win, the Filipino boxing champion is looking to unify the 122-lb. division,with plans to fight four-division champion Jorge Arce of Mexico.

UFC 143: Condit upsets Diaz, wins interim welterweight title

Carlos Condit’s name was largely overlooked prior to his fight against Nick Diaz, who was heavily favored to win and set up a potential blockbuster against Georges St. Pierre. Instead, Condit shocked the world by coming up with a huge unanimous decision victory over Diaz in the main event of UFC 143.

Condit, a former WEC welterweight champion, used a lot of movement and leg kicks to nullify Diaz’s superb boxing skills. Diaz stalked Condit all throughout the fight, but Condit stuck to his game plan by creating angles and getting out of Diaz’s range as quickly as possible. Two judges scored it 49-46 for Condit, while a third judge saw it 48-47. After 25 minutes of action, Condit emerged the winner to become UFC’s interim welterweight champion.

With the win, Condit will be facing St. Pierre, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, for the welterweight crown. Diaz announced that he’s going to retire after losing the fight.

NBA: Spurs 107, Thunder 96

Tony Parker of France scored 42 points and dished out nine assists to lead the San Antonio Spurs over the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, 107-96. Parker became only the fifth player this season to score 40 or more points in a game. He has also officially surpassed Avery Johnson as the Spurs’ all-time leader in assists.

Besides Parker, 16-year veteran and former two-time MVP Tim Duncan had a solid outing with 13 points and 15 rebounds while rookie Kawhi Leonard added 15 points.

The Spurs are still missing their leading scorer Manu Ginobili who was injured a month ago. The two-time All-Star from Argentina is expected to come back in the second week of February after recovering from hand surgery.

For the Thunder, Kevin Durant had 22 points and 11 rebounds, but he was mostly stifled by Leonard’s defense.James Harden and Russell Westbrook finished with 19 and 18 points, respectively.

The Thunder are on top of the standings mainly because they are the best team on the road. Unfortunately, they simply couldn’t get it going against the NBA’s best home team.

The Spurs are now 13-1 at home, but being only 3-8 on the road, they need to find ways to win their next nine games where they will play away from home.

“Boxing in This Corner Donaire work out” by Larry Burton c/o Picasa Web Albums. Some rights reserved.