Age just a number for vintage Donaire | Inquirer Sports

Age just a number for vintage Donaire

By: - Reporter / @BLozadaINQ
/ 07:14 PM May 30, 2021

Nonito Donaire Nordine Oubaali

Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire (L) knocks out French boxer Nordine Oubaali (R) during the Bantamweight World Championship boxing match at Dignity Health Sports Park on May 29, 2021 in Carson, California. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — For Nonito Donaire, age is just a number.

The 38-year-old proved he’s still going strong and be as dominant as ever when he knocked out France’s Nordine Oubaali to claim the WBC world bantamweight title Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California,

Article continues after this advertisement

Oubaali and Donaire were on different paths with the 34-year-old Frenchman carrying a perfect 17-0 record heading into the fight while the Filipino was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Naoya Inoue in 2019.

FEATURED STORIES

Despite that, Donaire displayed the kind of potent offense that made him the Fighter of the Year in 2012.

“Age is a number.  An 80-year-old can be in a wheelchair or can be running marathons.  health is wealth. Period…and the story continues,” wrote Donaire on Facebook after the bout.

Article continues after this advertisement

Oubaali, who’s never touched the canvas in his career, was dropped twice in the third round and Donaire carried that momentum into the fourth round.

Article continues after this advertisement

Donaire blasted Oubaali with left hooks in the fourth before pinning him to the ropes and sending him down with a three-punch combination prompting referee Jack Reiss to stop the match 1:52 into the round.

Article continues after this advertisement

The victory further broke Donaire’s own record of being the oldest bantamweight champion, a feat he set in November 2018 when he defeated Ryan Burnett for the WBA (Super) belt two days after he turned 36-years-old.

“Odds were against us, like they always are. Doubters waiting in the wings. But your faith in pushed me through. I love you all,” wrote Donaire.

RELATED STORIES

Donaire makes history, back as world champ with KO win over Oubaali

Donaire believes he can KO Rigondeaux now in rematch

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Nonito Donaire, Nordine Oubaali

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.