By Sam Geraci at Ringside: In the co-main event, Kelly Pavlik (40-2, 34 KOs) looked sluggish and unimpressive in defeating Wil Rosinsky (16-2, 9 KOs) via unanimous decision with two scores of 98-91 and one score of 97-92. While Rosinsky was effective at times with the overhand right, ultimately, Pavlik’s size and ability to walk through Rosinksy’s power lead to a knockdown in the second and a wide unanimous decision on all scorecards.
After the fight, Pavlik expressed that he is ready for bigger fights and would like to take on any of the top fighters at 168lbs but realizes that those fights might not be in the near future. From ringside, based on this performance, it is clear that Pavlik is far removed from the fighter that defeated Jermain Taylor and fought a close fight with160lb King Sergio Martinez. Throughouth the fight, Pavlik was unable or unwilling to throw the thudding jab followed by his dynamic right that was once the best in boxing. In addition to the absence of the one-two, Pavlik was also slow in countering with his left hook and unable to avoid the overhand right..
In the main event, Nonito Donaire (29-1, 18 KOs) defeated Jeffery Mathebula (26-3-2) via wide unanimous decision with scores of 117-110, 118-109, and 119-109 to unify the WBO and IBF 122lbs titles. Donaire pressured Mathebula throughout the fight and scored a devastating knockdown in the fourth with a counter left hook that probably would have ended the bout if it were not for the bell.
After the fight, Donaire expressed that Mathebula’s jab prevented him from landing the knockout shots and that he might be interested in moving up and fighting Mares.. Despite the wide margin of victory, Donaire showed difficulty defending and countering Mathebula’s jab and straight right hand. Overall, however, Donaire’s pure athleticism and ability to move Mathebula with his shots, especialy the right to the body and his lunging shots upstairs, were the difference.
***
Undercard results:
Andy Ruiz, Jr TKO 8 Jonte Willis
Victor Pasillas TKO 3 Jesus Adame
KeAndre Gibson UD 6 Moris Rodriguez
Eric Flores UD 4 Raymond Nichol
Jose Roman TKO 1 Rodolfo Armenta
Brad Solomon UD 8 Hector Munoz