Nonito Donaire, left, steps back after knocking Vic Darchinyan to the mat during round 9 of their featherweight rematch, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
MANILA, Philippines – Six years ago, it was Nonito Donaire’s left hand that sent down Vic Darchinyan and catapulted the Filipino to boxing stardom.
Fast forward to Sunday, it was no different as Donaire landed the same left hook that led to a ninth round stoppage of Darchinyan in their 10-round non-title featherweight rematch at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The left blow started the end for the proud Armenian, who fell on his knees. Darchinyan was able to beat the count before Donaire went for the finish – unloading on two uppercuts prompting the referee to waive off the fight at the 2:06 mark in the penultimate round.
The 30-year-old Donaire sprung into one of boxing’s elite after his surprise conquest of Darchinyan back in July of 2007 and ironically, his latest win would get him back on the championship trail since losing his WBO bantamweight crown to unbeaten Cuban stylist Guillermo Rigondeaux seven months ago.
“I put my heart in it, and I said that I will never quit,” Donaire, dubbbed as the “Filipino Flash,” said after the match.
And as Donaire (32-2, 21 KOs), reasserted his mastery over Darchinyan (39-5-1, 28 KOs), he now looks to even the score with the two-time Olympic gold medalist Rigondeaux, who stunned the Filipino via unanimous decision victory.
The three-division champion Donaire appeared to be trailing the fight as Darchinyan seemingly connecting on more blows especially with his powerful left hand finding its mark.
Both fighters had their moments with Donaire rocking Darchinyan in the second round and the 37-year-old Darchinyan loading up with a flurry at the end of the fourth round apart from constantly having success with his left hand.
Darchinyan, who have now lost three of his last five fights, wasn’t the same fighter he was in his first encounter with Donaire.
Usually with a come-forward approach, Darchinyan was cautious and was unwilling to throw early before somewhat figuring Donaire out in the middle rounds as he started to unload.
Donaire on the other hand, was just looking at times and just seemingly waiting for the right moment and catch Darchinyan with a solid punch – reminiscent of his one-punch knockout in their first meeting where he won the IBF flyweight crown.
That right time did come for Donaire as his blow to Darchinyan’s face in Round 9 turned the tables around and eventually paved the way for the TKO win.