Nonito Donaire stops Anthony Settoul in two rounds
Sunday 19 July 2015 17:33, UK
Nonito Donaire stopped Anthony Settoul in two rounds to put himself firmly back in the world title mix in Macau on Saturday night.
The former four-weight world champion claimed a stunning second-round stoppage to extend his record to 34-3 and set-up a possible autumn showdown with WBA super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg.
Donaire, who lost his WBA 'Super' featherweight title in October, had the Frenchman in trouble twice in the opening round of the 10-rounder with stunning body shots that dropped him to his knees.
In the second round more telling punches to the diaphragm were followed with a bone-shaking right cross to the chin that put Settoul down once more.
Although he bravely managed to just beat the count he was visibly unsteady on his feet, staggering backwards across the ring as his corner threw in the towel to save him from further punishment with 1min 41sec gone in the second.
"We worked really hard for this fight and I did everything I needed to do," said a barely sweating Donaire afterwards.
"I wanted to set him up with the body shots and finish it from there."
Argentina's Cesar Cuenca moved a step closer to boxing history by beating China's "IK" Yang Lianhui on points to win the IBF junior-welterweight title on the undercard in Macau.
Undefeated Cuenca extended his record to 48 wins (2 KOs), just one short of Rocky Marciano's all-time 49-0 record as he won his first world title on his debut outside his home country.
Cuenca dominated from the start and despite being briefly knocked down in the fifth by a right-hand claimed the 117-108, 115-110 and 116-109 verdict.
