CEBU - Nonito Donaire Jr shed off the extra pounds just in time for his defense of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight belt against Zsolt Bedak at the Cebu City Sports Complex on Saturday night.
To his horror, Donaire woke up on the day of the weigh-in three pounds over the 122-lb. limit.
"Nag-panic ako ng kaunti," admitted the champion, who was just expecting his weight to be around two or a pound over.
"I was a bit concerned because I was asking why tumaas (ang weight ko)."
The 32-year-old Donaire went to the sauna for 30 mins and instantly lost two pounds. He then limited his intake of water before going up the scale during the weigh-in held at the Ayala Mall in downtown Cebu.
The champ made weight at 121 and 3/4 lbs.
"We made it and I feel amazing," Donaire said later as he partook a lunch of lasagna and chicken at a nearby Italian restaurant.
"I feel rehydrated," he added. "And malaki pa yung oras para maka-recover ako."
Donaire said he expects to come in at 132 lbs on fight night.
Bedak also made the weight, tipping the scales at 121.5 lbs.
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