Donaire retains IBF flyweight title

Ryan Burton @ ringside

01/11/2008

Donaire retains IBF flyweight title

Champ may have suffered broken pinkie

Nonito Donaire TKO 6 Moruti Mthalane... Nonito Donaire retained the IBF flyweight title when referee Joe Cortez, on the advice of the ringside doctor, ended the challenge of Moruti Mthlalane (22-2) due to a cut eye at 1:31 of the sixth round.  Donaire was able to shake off his obvious ring rust (Compubox credited both men with landing an equal amount of punches) to score the technical knockout on cuts.  His 14-month layoff was evident as Donaire started slowly but he did just enough to win almost every round on two judge's scorecards. Donaire was pelting Mthalane with a series of jabs and power shots in the fifth round when he opened up the cut.  Donaire actually motioned Cortez to look at the cut and then the fight was stopped. It was reported after the figh that Donaire may have suffered a broken pinkie during the first round.