Donaire defeats Concepcion for 21st straight win

Nonito Donaire unanimously outpointed Rafael Concepcion on Saturday night in his first super-flyweight fight to take the World Boxing Assn. interim title in Las Vegas.

Donaire, the 26-year-old Filipino star who vacated his IBF flyweight title to move up in weight, improved to 22-1 with his 21st consecutive victory. Judge Max De Luca scored the fight 117-111, Duane Ford had it 115-113, and Jerry Roth called it 116-112.

Donaire used a potent jab to cut open a gash under Concepcion’s left eye midway through the second round at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Donaire ended the third round with a flurry of punches that nearly knocked down Concepcion (13-4-1), who fought with blood dripping down his face most of the night.

Donaire did show some weaknesses in the middle rounds. That inconsistency led to Concepcion landing a few big punches, but Donaire was never in danger.

He closed the fight by relying on his jab to control the final two rounds to secure the win.

On the undercard, Steven Luevano of La Puente retained his World Boxing Organization featherweight title after being floored by challenger Bernabe Concepcion following the seventh round bell. Concepcion, who was trailing on two of the three judges’ scorecards, was disqualified.

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Jones wins in 10

Roy Jones Jr. toyed with the crowd and with Jeff Lacy, stopping Lacy after the 10th round to retain the NABO light heavyweight championship title in Biloxi, Miss. Jones (54-5, 39 KOs) used a left hook to cut Lacy’s right eye in the third round, and both of Lacy’s eyes were swelling by the seventh. Lacy didn’t answer the bell for the 11th round.