WBC bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire 41-6 (27) is chasing a rematch against WBA and IBF champion Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue 20-0 (17) following his world title winning effort at the weekend.
The 38-year-old became the oldest current world champion when he brutally knocked out previously undefeated French southpaw Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday night.
Donaire smashed a scintillating left hook into Oubaali’s jaw late in the third round that sent him down for the first time in the fight. Although he beat the count Oubaali was on wobbly legs and Donaire immediately went on the offensive, dropping him again right at the bell.
Referee Jack Reiss applied the mandatory eight count before Oubaali staggered around the ring looking for his corner.
Donaire wasted no time going in for the kill in the fourth, working over Oubaali before landing a left hook, right uppercut combination that crumpled the reigning champion again. This time referee Reiss decided he had seen enough, waving off the contest at the 1:52 mark.
Donaire is now chasing a unification bout with Japan’s Inoue, 28, who he lost a competitive decision to in November 2019. Their thrilling clash was awarded Fight of the Year honours.
“Being at this age is not the question, it’s about my performance,” said Donaire, who is 14 years removed from his first world title win against Vic Darchinyan. “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.
“That’s what I wanted to win this fight, because that’s my next goal. The only thing I haven’t done in boxing is become undisputed and the next phase is getting the rematch [with Inoue].
“Three decades of being world champion. Nine-time world champion. That’s amazing.
“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.”
