MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV saved the best for last in its year-end finale of the live boxing series, on Friday night, with strong performances from the boxing gem of Puerto Rico Felix “El Diamante” Verdejo and Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, each of which emerged victorious.
Both headlined, in separate title bouts, from Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, P.R. Donaire (36-3, 23 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, reclaimed the WBO junior featherweight world title with a gritty and bloody 12-round unanimous decision over Cesar Juarez (17-4, 13 KOs), of Mexico City, in what could potentially be a candidate for fight of the year.
Verdejo (19-0, 14 KOs), of San Juan, P.R., needed less time to make his statement. He made his homecoming a rousing success, scoring a one-punch second round knockout of Josenilson Dos Santos (25-4, 15 KOs), of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The four warriors boasted a combined record of 95-9 (64 KOs) — a winning ratio of 91%, with 2/3 of their total victories coming by way of knockout.
