Nonito “the Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. successfully defended his World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight belts against Omar “El Huracan” Narvaez in their match at the Madison Square Garden, New York on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

The Filipino boxer did not get the knockout victory he was hoping for because Narvaez clammed up during the middle rounds. In an interview by ESPN, Donaire apologized to the crowd for lack of action during the bout because Narvaez clammed up. “I did my best. I was very frustrated. I’m sorry it didn’t come out the way we wanted. I wanted him to open up.” he said.

“He didn’t fight, he didn’t even try to fight,” said a disgusted Cameron Dunkin, Donaire’s long-time manager. “But he’s a 36-year-old man in his first big fight out of the country. I think he fought like a guy who didn’t want to get hurt.”

All the 3 judges eventually voted in favor of Donaire, 120-108.  The Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire now holds a record of 27 wins, 1 loss and 18 knockouts while Omar Narvaez suffered the first loss of his career. His record now stands at 35 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws.

Dunkin said that WBC super bantamweight champ Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan, WBO super bantamweight champ Jorge Arce of Mexico, and Puerto Rican 122-pound contender Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. were in the running for Nonito Donaire’s next opponent.