38-year-old Nonito Donaire is now the oldest world champion ever at 118-pounds after brutally knocking out WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round Saturday night.
“Being at this age is not the question, it’s about my performance,” said Donaire. “About my ability to grow. I believe it matters not what your age is, but how mentally strong you are. What I learned from the [Naoya] Inoue fight is that I’m back. I can still compete at this level. The whole time I was not fighting, I was learning. I’m ready for the next one.
“Three decades of being world champion. Nine-time world champion. That’s amazing,” said Donaire. “I came in here and I felt really good. Today I knew exactly what was going to happen. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I think I was just very focused in the gym. I was very, very focused. I just felt really good coming in and I was grateful to get this opportunity.
“Tonight was something that I had to prove to the world that I’m back and I’m stronger than ever. He was a very tough guy. I think ultimately for me, there was a level of should I be more patient? Or should I go for it? Something I learned in the Inoue fight was to go for the kill. And that’s exactly what I did. I was patient, but I knew he was hurt enough that I could take him out.”
He should fight Casimero next for a all out Fillipeano unified title show down.
I am a NONITO DONAIRE’s big fan. The old filipino master is a delight. He steps the ring with incredibly safe, waiting his moment, smart, quiet, but lethal when his opponent make a mistake. Adding to this Nonito is an INCREDIBLE SPORTMAN, truly not in the fake way. He was really worry about the french feelings. I love Nonito. This is a warming to Spence Jr…the other old master filipino is going to you soon…
Donaire has proven beyond all doubt that he is one of the elite fighters of his era.
Donaire is a class act. He looked very good.. power is the last thing to go!
Nonito Donaire is a shoe in for The Hall of Fame !
Congratulations * * * * * Five Star Champion *
What a Great Career, and Class Act!
True
Paul D’
Nonito is a legend!!! Yes!!!
Not just power but ring smarts and the ability to still pull the trigger. The guy is inspirationally nice!
The trigger is different now, he can longer catch good opponents cold or by pure reaction, now it’s more about setting traps, timing and anticipating. In the knockdown sequencs he baited Oubali to throw, recognized his thrust and punched to where he expected the target to be.
To still have that ability to turn an opponent’s aggression against them is pretty amazing considering ND’s age, size, wear and tear etc. He creates the openings and closes the trap so smoothly still.
Oubaali style similiar to Vic Darchinyan
how can you not root on this guy, class act!!
I love the Filipino Flash !!!
I believe Donaire and Bernard Hopkins are the only fighters to win world titles in three different decades. What a truly remarkable achievement and it needs to be called out. I also don’t know of another fighter to win a world title at flyweight, later at featherweight, then drop down to bantamweight to win another world title. Donaire is an all-time great, no doubt about it.
Check it: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the other two fighters to win world titles in three different decades.
I think Inoue will do him in for good in a rematch. He was technically ko’d from the body shot in the first fight, anyway.