| Nonito Donaire | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Nonito Donaire, Jr. |
| Nickname(s) | The Filipino Flash |
| Rated at | Bantamweight Super Flyweight Flyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Nationality | Filipino American |
| Born | November 16, 1982 Talibon, Bohol, Philippines |
| Stance | Orthodox or Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 28 |
| Wins | 27 |
| Wins by KO | 18 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
Nonito Donaire, Jr. (born on November 16, 1982) is a Filipino-American[1] professional boxer. Known as "The Filipino Flash", Donaire is a three-division world champion, and the reigning WBC bantamweight champion. He is also the former undefeated WBO bantamweight, Interim WBA super flyweight, and IBF flyweight champion.
He is a known switch-hitter with the ability to fight either southpaw or orthodox.[2][3] His surname is often mispronounced as do-nayr but it's properly pronounced as do-nigh-reh.
Donaire is currently rated by The Ring as the number four pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
Contents |
Nonito Donaire was born in Talibon, Bohol, Philippines to Filipino parents, Nonito Sr. and Imelda Donaire. He is the third among four siblings: Glenn, Rosiel and Ermie.[4] He grew up in General Santos City, South Cotabato where he went to the same school as boxing icon eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.[5] His father, a second year high school dropout, was in the Philippine Army for eight years and fought as an amateur before trying his luck alone in the US in 1990. In 1993, he had joined his father in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. He later moved to the Bay Area.
During their younger years, Donaire and his older brother Glenn would spar, with the younger brother being beaten often. As a kid, Donaire watched videos of his hero Alexis Argüello, using them to learn how to throw his powerful left hook.[5] While in San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo, California the brothers won an assortment of regional and district amateur boxing championships.[6] His cousin, Richard Donaire, is also a professional boxer.[7]
Donaire is married to Rachel Marcial, a Filipino-American USA National Collegiate and Military Taekwando Champion.[8][9] They were married on August 8, 2008 in a private ceremony in Carmel, California, with all their close relatives.[10]
As a young American amateur, Donaire won three national championships: the National Silver Gloves in 1998, National Junior Olympics in 1999, and the National USA Tournament in 2000. He also won the International Junior Olympics in 1999.[11] Donaire's amateur record was 68-8 with 5 TKOs.
Donaire turned professional with his brother in 2001. They signed up with promoter Jackie Kallen, who paid the boys a monthly salary of $1,500 each. After four pro bouts, among which he lost his second, Donaire and his brother Glenn left Kallen and returned to Manila with their father. Initially mulling restarting their boxing careers in the Philippines, they decided to go back to the better facilities in San Leandro, where their father felt there were fewer distractions.[6]
Donaire won his first regional title in flyweight division by defeating Kaichon Sor Vorapin for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title in Guam on 9 September 2002. Donaire knocked out the future world title challenger in the second round.
Donaire won his second regional title, the NABF super flyweight title, by defeating Kahren Harutyunyan on Shobox by split decision on January 20, 2006. The scores were 97-92, 97-92 for Donaire and 95-94 for Harutyunan.[12]
On October 7, 2006, Donaire outpointed veteran Oscar Andrade by the scores of 118-109, 116-112, and 116-112. His older brother, Glenn Donaire, fought and lost to Vic Darchinyan on the same night.
A 7-1 underdog, Donaire won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title with a one-punch, fifth round knockout of the then-undefeated Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007.[13] This victory was awarded Ring Magazine's "Knockout of the Year" and "Upset of the Year" on December 23, 2007.[14][15][16]
On December 1, 2007, Donaire made the first defense of his IBF title against Luis Maldonado of Mexico by technical knockout in the 8th round. Donaire stated: "I guess my validation was today but I didn't feel my best; I felt sluggish. I didn't have my legs. I don't know what the problem was. I couldn't move well so I tried to rely on my upper body movement."[17]
In late June 2008, Donaire severed ties with promoter Gary Shaw because the number of fights had not matched the number stated in the contract and Shaw had failed to properly disclose revenue from previous fights as stated under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.[18] Days after leaving Gary Shaw Productions, he would sign with Top Rank Boxing.[19]
Donaire, on November 2, 2008, retained his IBF flyweight title via a 6th-round (1:31) technical knockout of Moruti Mthalane.[20][21][22]
On April 19, 2009, Donaire faced flyweight Raul Martinez for his third defense of his IBF flyweight title at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. Donaire scored the TKO after 2:42 into the 4th round.[23] Donaire has been trained by the Peñalosa brothers (Gerry, Dodie Boy and Jonathan) since the training camp for the match against Martinez. Because of his victory over Martinez, Donaire was included for the first time in the Ring Magazine pound for pound rankings, in the 7th spot.[24]
On July 31, 2007, Donaire met Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo along with Florante Condes, who won the IBF minimumweight title on the same weekend as Donaire. Donaire said the experience was "an overwhelming feeling. It was indescribable. The moment I walked up the stairs and she was up there and when I looked it was a moment when I couldn’t even look at her face. It was a great honor."[25]
The IBF ordered a mandatory rematch between Donaire and previous challenger Moruti Mthalane by August 1, 2009. However, Donaire's agent has expressed interest in moving up to the junior bantamweight/super flyweight division at 115 pounds.[26] Initially, Donaire was set to face Hugo Fidel Cazares on August 15, but talks for the bout had fallen through 2009.[27] Rafael Concepción of Panama then replaced Cazares as Donaire's opponent for the Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title, which headlined the card titled "Pinoy Power 2".[28] Donaire added conditioning coach Mike Bazzel to supplement Dodie Boy and Jonathan Peñalosa in their camp at the Undisputed Boxing Gym in San Carlos, a Bay Area suburb near San Mateo. He dedicated his fight against Concepcion in memory of late Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino where he requested Everlast, a boxing equipment company, to provide a yellow robe with the inscription “I. M. O. (in memory of) former Pres. Cory Aquino”.[29] Because Concepcion failed to weigh within the super flyweight limit (115 lbs.), only Donaire, who made weight successfully, can win the title. Donaire won the bout via unanimous decision. Two days after the win over Concepcion, he arrived to a rousing welcome in Manila, where he was feted in a motorcade by Mayor Alfredo Lim.
On February 13, 2010, Donaire faced Manuel "Chango" Vargas for his first defense of the Interim WBA super flyweight title at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada. The latter was only a late replacement to Gerson Guerrero, who did not pass eye examinations and was forced to pull out. Vargas took the fight on less than 3 days short notice and had to move up 3 weight divisions. The bout headlined the card titled "Pinoy Power 3". Donaire won the fight via a 3rd-round (1:33) knockout and successfully retained his title.[30]
After the fight Donaire expressed his interest in fighting Vic Darchinyan, for a rematch, or Fernando Montiel, both boxing champions, as he plans to move up to the bantamweight division.[31]
According to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, Donaire would have faced the reigning WBC and WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on August 21, 2010 at the Home Depot in California.[32] After weeks of uncertainty regarding the Donaire-Darchinyan rematch, Arum said the fight was done.[33] However, the deal fell apart on May 5, 2010, so the bout was called off.[34] According to Donaire, the match was put in jeopardy because Darchinyan did not want to fight him, and not because of television rights.
Donaire is also looking for a fight with WBO and WBC bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico.[35] However, Donaire stated that he is looking forward to a regular world title match in super flyweight division first before taking on Montiel.[36]
Following this events, Bob Arum announced that Donaire would fight in the undercard of Juan Manuel López and Bernabe Concepcion bout on July 10, 2010 at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Opponent for this fight was expected to be announced in the coming days.[37] Donaire challenged Puerto Rican boxer Eric Morel, but the latter turned the offer down.[38] As a result, Donaire planned a bantamweight move, as he did not find any available opponent in the super flyweight division; at first he refused to fight Hernan "Tyson" Marquez, who was coming from a lopsided loss against Richie Mepranum. The Donaire-Marquez bout took place in the super-flyweight division. Donaire won the match by TKO in the eight round.[3][39] The bout was supposed to be his last fight in the super flyweight division.
Following his win against Marquez, Donaire stated his intention to compete in the bantamweight division (118 pounds) to challenge WBO and WBC champion Fernando Montiel.[40][41]
On December 4, 2010, Donaire challenged former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight Title. Donaire knocked down Sidorenko thrice and became the first man to stop Sidorenko.[42]
The win against Sidorenko gave Donaire the chance to face Mexican Fernando Montiel.
On February 19, 2011, Donaire stopped Fernando Montiel in the second round to take the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight titles.[43] Donaire took a right to the head from the Montiel, then immediately countered with a devastating left to the head that sent Montiel crumpling to the canvas. Montiel rose to continue and Donaire rushed over to land a left and a right before referee Russell Mora stopped the fight after two minutes and 25 seconds of the second round. With the victory, Donaire became the second Filipino and third Asian to become a three-division world champion, a fighter who won world titles in three different weight divisions.[44][45]
On February 28, 2011, the Philippine Senate formally adopted two Senate Resolutions filed by Senators Pia Cayetano and Manuel Lapid congratulating and commending Donaire for being an outstanding Filipino boxer and for bringing honor and pride to the country.[46]
On October 22, 2011, Donaire made his New York debut by beating previously undefeated two-division world champion Omar "El Huracán" Narvaez at Madison Square Garden in New York. Donaire dominated the fight against an obviously outmatched Narvaez but did not get the knockout he sought.
After the fight between WBC super bantamwight champion Toshiaki Nishioka and Rafael Márquez, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum stated that he had an agreement for the winner of the Nishioka-Marquez title fight to face Nonito Donaire, who wants to move up to super bantamweight after his WBC/WBO bantamweight title fight with Omar Andres Narvaez. However, in an interview after Nishioka won, Arum said that the planned Donaire-Nishioka fight will not happen as earlier planned for mid-January and that "probably Nishioka won't fight Donaire until May or June (2012) because he wants to take a rest." Instead, Arum raised the possibility of Donaire fighting WBO super bantamweight champion Jorge Arce. [47]
Donaire will fight Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr. on February 4, 2012, for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title.
| 27 Wins (18 knockouts), 1 Loss (by decision) [48] | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| N/A | 27-1 | Wilfredo Vázquez, Jr. | - | ? (12) | 2012-02-04 | Alamodome San Antonio Texas, United States | For vacant WBO super bantamweight title. |
| Win | 27-1 | Omar Andres Narvaez | UD | 12 (12) | 2011-10-22 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States | Retained WBC & WBO bantamweight titles. |
| Win | 26-1 | Fernando Montiel | TKO | 2 (12) | 2011-02-19 | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, United States | Won WBC & WBO bantamweight titles. |
| Win | 25-1 | Wladimir Sidorenko | KO | 4 (12) | 2010-12-04 | Honda Center, Anaheim, California, United States | Won vacant WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title. |
| Win | 24-1 | Hernan Marquez | TKO | 8 (12) | 2010-07-10 | José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Retained Interim WBA super flyweight title. |
| Win | 23-1 | Manuel Vargas | KO | 3 (12) | 2010-02-13 | Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, United States | Retained Interim WBA super flyweight title. |
| Win | 22-1 | Rafael Concepcion | UD | 12 (12) | 2009-08-15 | Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, United States | Won Interim WBA super flyweight title. |
| Win | 21-1 | Raúl Martínez | TKO | 4 (12) | 2009-04-19 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Philippines | Retained IBF flyweight title. |
| Win | 20-1 | Moruti Mthalane | TKO | 6 (12) | 2008-11-01 | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, United States | Retained IBF flyweight title. |
| Win | 19-1 | Luis Maldonado | TKO | 8 (12) | 2007-12-01 | Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, United States | Retained IBF flyweight title. |
| Win | 18-1 | Vic Darchinyan | TKO | 5 (12) | 2007-07-07 | Harbour Yard Arena, Bridgeport, United States | Won IBF flyweight titles. Ring Magazine 2007 Knockout of the Year |
| Win | 17-1 | Kevin Hudgins | TKO | 1 (8) | 2007-05-12 | Reno Events Center, Reno, United States | |
| Win | 16-1 | Oscar Andrade | UD | 12 (12) | 2006-10-07 | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, Las Vegas, United States | Retained NABF super flyweight title. |
| Win | 15-1 | Jose Luis Cardenas | TKO | 2 (8) | 2006-07-29 | Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, United States | |
| Win | 14-1 | Kahren Harutyunyan | SD | 10 (10) | 2006-01-20 | Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, United States | Won NABF super flyweight title. |
| Win | 13-1 | Ilido Julio | UD | 8 (8) | 2005-11-05 | Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, United States | |
| Win | 12-1 | Daniel Gonzalez | KO | 1 (8) | 2005-10-01 | Reno Events Center, Reno, United States | |
| Win | 11-1 | Larry Olvera | UD | 6 (6) | 2005-07-02 | Reno Events Center, Reno, United States | |
| Win | 10-1 | Paulino Villalobos | TKO | 6 (8) | 2005-05-13 | Civic Arena, San Jose, United States | |
| Win | 9-1 | Gilberto Bolanos | UD | 8 (8) | 2004-11-12 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, United States | |
| Win | 8-1 | Ricardo Barreras | TKO | 4 (6) | 2004-06-18 | Quiet Cannon, Montebello, United States | |
| Win | 7-1 | Jorge Lopez | TKO | 1 (6) | 2003-06-27 | Mare Island Sports Center, Vallejo, United States | |
| Win | 6-1 | Mark Sales | TKO | 5 (12) | 2002-11-02 | Joe Cantada Boxing Arena, Taguig City, Philippines | |
| Win | 5-1 | Kaichon Sor Vorapin | KO | 2 (12) | 2002-09-01 | University of Guam, Agana, Guam | Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title. |
| Win | 4-1 | Noel Alma | KO | 1 (?) | 2002-05-31 | Elorde Sports Complex, Parañaque City, Philippines | |
| Win | 3-1 | Jose Luis Torres | TKO | 1 (4) | 2001-07-03 | Hyatt Regency Hotel, Monterey, United States | |
| Win | 2-1 | Saul Santoyo | UD | 4 (4) | 2001-06-08 | Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, United States | |
| Loss | 1-1 | Rosendo Sanchez | UD | 5 (5) | 2001-03-10 | Pacific Sports Center, Vallejo, United States | |
| Win | 1-0 | Jose Lazaro | KO | 1 (4) | 2001-02-22 | Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, United States | |
National:
International:
Major World Titles:
Minor World Titles:
Regional Titles:
Donaire had TV guest appearances and joined the third season of Celebrity Duets episodes on GMA.[6]
Donaire is also featured in the videogame Fight Night Round 4.[49]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Vic Darchinyan |
IBF Flyweight World Champion July 7, 2007 – July 1, 2009 Vacated |
Vacant
Title next held by
Moruti Mthalane |
| IBO Flyweight World Champion July 7, 2007 – 2009 Vacated |
Vacant
Title next held by
César Seda |
|
| Vacant
Title last held by
Jorge Arce |
WBA Super Flyweight World Champion Interim Title August 15, 2009 – October 15, 2010 Vacated |
Vacant
Title next held by
Drian Francisco |
| Preceded by Fernando Montiel |
WBC Bantamweight World Champion February 19, 2011 – present |
Incumbent |
| WBO Bantamweight World Champion February 19, 2011 – present |
||