Round 8 close and more of a boxing round for Nonito but I think Nonito takes it. 5-3 Nonito on my card.
Round Seven: Donaire is throwing more jabs early in the round than he has in previous rounds, and Concepcion does appear to be taken out of his game for the time being. But Concpepcion regains control of the tempo of the fight and chases Donaire first into one corner, then another. Donaire is backpedaling as Concepcion throws a jab, then a left hook, then a couple of big right hands. Concepcion splits Donaire's gloves with a jab. Donaire fires a straight right that lands hard and clean as the men exchange blows in the center of the ring. Concepcion quickly regains his composure and lands a combination.
I thought Conception's pressure won it like the 6th even though Nonito steadied things a bit towards the last minute.
Round Eight: Concepcion backs Donaire, working his head and his body with a sequence of jabs. Donaire goes to the body with a jab but Concepcion responds with a solid jab to Donaire's face. Donaire blocks a left hook but fails to block a big jab that follows from Concepcion. Concepcion's left eye remains puffy and swollen but the cut has not affected his attack or game plan. Donaire lands a clean straight right to Concepcion's face, then another big right just as time runs out.
Nonito is not using his boxing skills enough. He's sloppier than usual, but is tentative to unload on Conception since he was stunned in the 2nd. Round 9 is close, maybe a swing round. I got it 6-3 for Nonito now but this is a lot tougher than I (and I'm sure Nonito) thought it would be.
it could easily be 5-4 Doniare. Maybe some judges have it for Conception by a round but I got Nonito up.
Round Nine: Donaire continues to favor a tactical approach to the fight as Concepcion keeps moving forward and leading with his jab. Donaire has a couple of big swings-and-misses, then absorbs a left hand to the point of his chin. Both men block a couple of punches before Donaire lands a right and Concepcion responds with a left hand. Donaire is relying on his foot movement and appears to be taking aim at the cut by Concepcion's eye. Donaire lands more across the board and takes another round.
Nonito is not looking sharp at all in the 10th round. May be fatigue setting in. We'll see. I give Conception the 10th and have it 6-4 Donaire but this fight could easily be even!
Round Ten: Concepcion briefly backs up Donaire with a right hand, then tries to establish his jab. Concepcion blocks a couple of Donaire's punches then delivers a combination. Donaire, controlling the tempo in the center of the ring, fires off a right of his own. Concepcion goes to the body with a left hook. The fighters exchange shots by the ropes, with Donaire getting the best of it thanks in part to a stinging left hook. Donaire unloads a combination. Concepcion tries to stay on the attack despite a cut by his left eye.
8-2 for donaire...Donaire is not using is speed in this fight...left uppercut to end the round for donaire Donaire is also winning 11th. Last time donaire went 12 rounds was 3 years ago against oscar andrade