NONITO DONAIRE

Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is a world boxing champion. He is heralded as the next great boxer to emerge from the Philippines following Manny Pacquiao. In 2007, Ring Magazine awarded Nonito the prestigious “Knock Out of the Year” and “Upset of the Year” for his stunning win against then undefeated Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan. This knock out stripped Darchinyan of his IBF and IBO world titles and proved to be the biggest boxing upset of the year. With his lightning quick reflexes, one-punch crushing power and two championship belts, Nonito is a legend in the making.

As a child, Nonito’s family struggled to make ends meet. Born in Bohol, Philippines and raised in General Santos, Nonito was poor, wore tattered clothes, and at times, had nothing to eat. Life was tough. This all changed in the early 1᚞’s when Nonito’s father, Nonito Donaire Sr., discovered he was an American citizen. By 1993, after tremendous sacrifice, Nonito’s family moved to San Leandro, California to start a new life. He was ǫ years old.

Upon arrival, to keep his kids focused, Nonito’s dad enrolled Nonito Jr and his brother Glenn into an after school boxing program. From the beginning, Nonito was a natural in the ring. Quick on his feet and punched with precision. Within two months of joining the program, Nonito Jr found himself winning his first amateur fight in total disbelief.

Today, Nonito is a world class, Top Rank promoted boxer. He holds an impressive professional record of 20 wins, 13 by TKO, and 1 loss. On February 16, 2008, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presented Nonito with the “Philippine Sports Award” for “2007 Athlete of the Year”. This award was previously presented to other Filipino greats including Efren “Bata” Reyes and Manny Pacquiao. Recently, Bantay Bata, ABS-CBN’s philanthropic nonprofit organization, named Nonito the “Children’s Champ” for his selfless efforts to help impoverished kids through their organization.

Nonito is a rising star. He will continue to be a champ both in and out of the ring for years to come.

Nonito Donaire Facts:

*Titles*

1998 National Silver Gloves Champion

1999 National Jr. Olympics Champion

1999 International Jr. Olympics Champion

2000 National USA Tournament Champion

2002 Won WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title defeating Kaichon Sor Vorapin by KO in round 2

썖 Won NABF Super Flyweight Title (defeating Kahren Harutyunyan by unanimous decision in round 12)

2006 Defended NABF Super Flyweight Title (defeating Oscar Andrade by unanimous decision in round 12)

2007 Won IBF and IBO Flyweight Titles (defeating Vic Darchinyan by KO in round 5)

*Ring Magazine’s 2007 Knockout of the Year*

Nonito Donaire won the IBF Flyweight Title with a 5th round knockout of undefeated southpaw Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007. This victory was awarded Ring Magazine’s “Knockout of the Year” and “Upset of the Year” on December 23, 2007. Other “Knockout of the Year” winners include George Foreman, Roy Jones Jr. and Lennox Lewis.

*2007 Athlete of the Year*

On February 16, 2008, Nonito Donaire received the “Philippine Sports Award” for “2007 Athlete of the Year”, alongside amateur swimmer Miguel Molina. Amongst the list of nominees were Manny Pacquiao, Ronnie Alcano, Wesley So, and Frankie Minoza.

The “Philippine Sports Award” is one of the most prestigious sport-related awards in the Philippines. Notable athletes who were given this award include Rafael Nepomuceno, Eric Buhain, Lydia de Vega, Efren Reyes and Manny Pacquiao.