Raw Power: Nonito Donaire smashes his way into the history books!
By Ace Freeman PhilBoxing.com Mon, 31 May 2021
May 31, 2021 — On Saturday night four-division world champion Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) served notice to the boxing world that he's still a force to be reckoned with as he punched his way into the history books. 'The Filipino Flash' absolutely decimated younger, undefeated defending champion Nordine Oubaali (17-1, 12 KOs) by way of crushing fourth round knockout. The victory makes Donaire the oldest bantamweight champion in history and earned him the WBC 118-pound world title.
Both fighters were reserved in the opening two rounds, cautiously looking for openings. Things heated up in the third round as both men let their hands go but it was the Filipino charge who was first to land significantly, dropping Oubaali. The Frenchman beat the count but - smelling blood - Donaire flipped a switch and entered seek and destroy mode. He trapped Oubaali along the ropes near the corner and as the round drew to a close, dipped his legs and loaded up a monstrous left hook that landed as the three-chime bell sounded. Oubaali fell face first in a heap on the canvass. The reduced capacity crowd at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California erupted as veteran referee Jack Reiss took control of the scene and administered a count (which Oubaali beat) before sending the fighters to their corners.
While the defending champion was saved by the bell, it was all for not. With a surgeon's precision, Donaire went after Oubaali in the fourth with a series of anvil-handed bombs. With historic achievement within his grasp 'The Flash' planted his feet and measured each step while he put every ounce of weight he had into the shots swung at the retreating, vulnerable champion. Finally at the tail end of a combination a half hook / uppercut crumpled Oubaali who sat slumped against the bottom rope with his head hanging down unresponsive. Referee Jack Reiss only got two numbers out before he waived the bout off without any further counting. With that... history was made.
Oubaali slumped into a corner after receiving another Donaire left bombed.
The bout sent shock-waves across the boxing world as the big-punching Filipino star turned the page to write yet another chapter in an already historic career.
"It's not a matter of age," Donaire said post fight. "It's about performance and my ability to grow. Your age doesn't matter as much as how strong you are mentally."
Prior to Saturday's big win, Donaire hadn't fought since November 2019 when he lost a close and hard fought battle to current pound-for-pound terror Naoya Inoue of Japan. While that bout is listed as a loss on his record, it has to be one of the most impressive "losses" in history as it was a brilliant toe-to-toe tactical battle between two of the biggest punchers in boxing. If you haven't seen that fight I suggest you watch it on Youtube immediately. If you did see it, watch it again. That fight left this scribe in awe with how much it resembled a high-stakes chess match with power punches instead of chess pieces. Inoue is quickly becoming regarded as one of the very best fighters in boxing and Donaire tested every fiber of his being. He hurt the powerful Japanese champion several times in the bout and made him dig deeper than he ever had previously.
"Something I learned in the Ioune fight is I'm back," Donaire said Saturday night. "Because I knew that if I could compete with him I've still got it. I'm still learning [...] and I'm stronger than ever!"
Donaire now holds the most prestigious title at 118 pounds and looms large alongside fellow bantamweight champions (the aforementioned) Naoya Inoue, Guillermo Rigondeaux and fellow Filipino John Riel Casimero. Rigondeaux and Casimero are set to clash August 14th, which leaves a real possibility Donaire may get the rematch with Inoue that he called for after Saturday's big win.
"That's why I wanted to win this fight," Donaire said in his post-fight remarks. "It's my goal to become undisputed and the next phase in that is the (Inoue) rematch."
Regardless of who he fights next, it's clear Donaire remains one of the most electric and marketable figures in the lower weight classes. People love knockouts, and the heavy handed Filipino might just be one of the biggest punchers in boxing pound-for-pound.
Several years ago I was afforded the luxury to spend a day in his training camp. He arrived in a modest vehicle with his wife Rachel to no entourage or fanfare. He was friendly and humble as he greeted and welcomed me to his workout. That was when I witnessed something strange that I'd never seen before despite all the champions I've seen in training. Strength coach James Michael Bazzel and Nonito took nearly 45-minutes to prepare and wrap his hands. The delicate care and precision to each piece of tape was endlessly scrutinized, tested and often re-done. In retrospect I would liken it to a mechanic delicately preparing missiles on a fighter jet.
After this lengthy process Donaire greeted NFL all-star running back Frank Gore who sat down as an eager onlooker. With a small audience in place 'The Flash' began his heavy-bag work... and then it all made sense. He proceeded to pummel the heavy bag with some of the hardest shots I've ever seen a fighter throw at one. I'm not saying bigger fighters haven't hit the heavy bag harder, just that most don't because it causes serious risk to their hands and wrists. With the precision put into wrapping his hands, Donaire exploded lefts and rights into the bag that had it swinging up toward the ceiling. Frank Gore was wincing as the thunderous blows rocked the bag.
"I don't want none of that smoke," Gore laughed. "I don't care how small he is. That's scary."
This served as an important and violent reminder that Nonito Donaire puts a great deal of time and energy into practicing generating extreme power. His hands are literally treated with the utmost care and attention like the prized weapons they are.
When you have this context it becomes all that much more interesting - and impressive - watching him in his fights during the moments he plants his feet and swings with the might of an Olympic shot putter. From practice to in the line of fire, Donaire's power is unique among many boxers I've had the good fortune to see up close. It's a different kind of power and something that continues to propel him to new heights.
Ace Freeman is an accomplished boxing writer and journalist who has been covering the sport for over fifteen years. He is currently writing a book about his time following Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather and can be reached at dantzu@yahoo.com
