Full Name: Nonito Donaire Jr.
Nickname: Filipino Flash
Weight Class: Bantamweight
Birthdate: November 16, 1982
Birthplace: Bohol, Philippines
Record: 26-1, 18 KOs
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 68"
Trainer: Robert Garcia

Accomplishments:

• WBC and WBO bantamweight world champion
• WBA interim super flyweight world champion
• World championship fights: 5-0, 5 KOs
• Interim world championship fights: 1-0, 0 KOs
• Former IBF flyweight world champion, three successful defenses
• Former NABF super flyweight champion
• The Ring "2007 Knockout of the Year" - Donaire KO5 Darchinyan
• The Ring "2007 Upset of the Year" - Donaire KO5 Darchinyan
• 2000 U.S. National Championships (amateur), 106 pounds - Gold Medalist
• 2000 National Junior Olympic Championships (amateur), 106 pounds - Gold Medalist
• 1999 Junior Olympics International Championships (amateur), 106 pounds - Gold Medalist

Biography

At the age of 28, Nonito is a ten-year pro. He recently defeated Fernando Montiel via a 2nd round stoppage to win the WBO and WBC bantamweight belts.

He won the WBA interim super flyweight world champion in August, 2009, and has made one successful defense.

He is also a former IBF flyweight world champion - he won the title in July, 2007, and made three successful title defenses. He vacated the title to move up in weight.

Nonito has an exceptional combination of skill, power, and speed, and is considered by most observers to be one of the top fighters at any weight in the ring today - one of the  best "Pound for Pound."

He is coming off a third-round knockout win against former WBO interim mini-flyweight world champion Manuel Vargas in his last fight in February, 2010.

After the fight, Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com [excerpts]: With his country's hero Manny Pacquiao at ringside, Donaire...took care of business in devastating fashion. Donaire, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in boxing, expected to defend his interim 115-pound belt against Mexico's Gerson Guerrero. However, Guerrero fell out of the fight...when he failed a prefight eye exam. Vargas, also of Mexico, was brought in on short notice....

Vargas was game, though. He did his best but simply could not handle Donaire's size and strength. It was just a matter of time until Donaire put him out of his misery, which came in the third round. That's when Donaire drilled him with a huge left uppercut midway through the round. Vargas went down on a delayed reaction and could not beat the count....

It was an explosive and exciting performance from Donaire.... [End Rafael item]

Nonito won the IBF flyweight world title in July, 2007, with a spectacular, devastating one-punch knockout against previously undefeated defending champion Vic Darchinyan. The knockout was so devastating that during his post-fight interview, Darchinyan didn't seem to realize he had just been knocked out.

Boxing News reported [excerpts]: Darchinyan...was caught with a left hook that was reminiscent of the perfect punch Sugar Ray Robinson used to knock out Gene Fullmer 50 years ago. What should not be forgotten is how well Donaire fought up the point of the stoppage. [End Boxing News item]

The fight won The Ring's annual awards for "2007 Knockout of the Year" and "2007 Upset of the Year."

Nonito had an impressive amateur career, as well, which included wins against Ron Siler, who made the 2004 U.S. Olympic team, and current pro jr. middleweight prospect James Kirkland.

Regarding his nickname, Nonito said, "I got my name because I was pretty fast. Like in the gym, I was a lot faster than my brother or other fighters. They started calling me that around my fourth, fifth fight."