SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Nov 2025
Donaire KOs Darchinyan.
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire won two Knockouts of the Year by the Ring Magazine in 2007 and 2011.
On July 7, 2007 Donaire faced Armenian Vic Darchinyan at The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A. He first became a world champion when he won the IBF flyweight title in 2004 stopping Irene Pacheco's five-year flyweight reign. He defended his title six times before meeting a perfect match in Donaire.
Darchinyan was undefeated before the fight but yielded to Donaire's thundering left hook hell for the shocking upset knockout loss. Donaire went to fight as a counter puncher in round 5 and looked for an opening taking advantage of Darchinyan's wide, looping shots. After Darchinyan threw a slow jab at the middle of the round Donaire landed a perfect left hook that sent Darchinyan crashing to the canvas.
The champion, seemingly went down for the first time in his career, was grappling to stand up. As soon as he got up he stumbled into the ropes and his cornerman entered the ring and the referee waved bout off calling it a TKO.
Donaire KOs Montiel.
The fight was also judged as Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine. Donaire won the IBF and IBO flyweight titles.
On February 19, 2011, Donaire took on Mexican Fernando Montiel at Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.A.
Donaire controlled most of the first round and pummelled Montiel with a left hook that sent the champion to the canvas in the second round. Montiel was able to get up on his feet and was allowed by the referee to continue. Donaire landed two solid punches that promoted the referee to end the bout at 2:25 of Round 2.
Donaire won the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles. After his victory he was promoted to 3rd in Ring Magazine's "pound for pound" rankings, behind only Juan Manuel Márquez and Sergio Martínez.
When The Ring started giving the award for exceptional knockouts, only three fighters scored two Knockouts of the Year. Aside from Donaire , the other two who won it twice were Canelo Alvarez and Lennox Lewis.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
By Eric Armit, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 16 Feb 2026