FOURTH Division champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire earned his 16th world title after the 4th round stoppage against former undefeated champion Nordine Oubaali of France on Sunday, May 30, 2021 (Manila time), at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Doinare, the oldest champion in the bantamweight division at 38 and fighting his 20th world title, came out tactically patient against Oubaali until he found the opportunity to take down the French champion in the third.
In the fourth, the Filipino finally end the scheduled 12-round battle with a solid left uppercut sending Oubaali back on the canvas for the third time and eventually gave the French the first loss of his career.
Donaire landed 74 of 183 total punches, including 68 of 134 power punches while Oubaali only landed 33 of 144 (total punches, registering just 18 of 89 power shots.
The Filipino champion improved his record to 41 victories with 27 by knockouts and 6 defeats while Oubaali had 17 wins and a loss.
For Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil "Baham" Mitra, Donaire's victory is another Filipino pride and obviously, a crucial triumph to motivate our boxers who are fighting inside and outside of the ring amid pandemic.
“Boxing is recovering as the reputation of Filipino boxers remains at the top level. We are proud that once again a Filipino proved to be the Best in the world. We hope that he can be a shining example to the youth and other Boxers,” Mitra stressed.
Former 2-division world champion and Negrense Gerry Peñalosa said he saw a fresh Nonito Donaire.
“He is so focused in the fight, and moved like in his early 30s,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bago City-native and former world champion "King" Arthur Villanueva already expected that Donaire will win the fight.
“I do [know] very well that Oubaali can’t handle Donaire’s strength,” expressed Villanueva, who once lost to the Oubaali 2 years ago. “I even wanted a rematch with him because, I know I have a chance to win with the right preparation and strategy,” he added.
Following his victory, Donaire is looking on a rematch against Japanese Naoya Inoue who defeated him in 2019 via unanimous decision for the World Boxing Association Super World Bantamweight and International Boxing Federation World Bantamweight titles held at Super Arena, Saitama in Japan.