Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) started his professional career 20 years ago and on May 29th, 2021 he knocked out Nordine Oubaali (17-1, 12 KOs) to become the oldest belt holder in the history of the division. Donaire was coming off of a two-year layoff but showed no remnants of ring rust in his fourth round KO of Oubaali.
Donaire knocked Oubaali down twice before finishing him with a punishing left uppercut in the middle of the fourth round. The first knockdown was due to a counter left hook while the second was caused by a left hook thrown right at the bell.
The speed and athleticism of Donaire, even at 38, allowed him to overwhelm and punish the impressive southpaw Nordine Oubaali. It was the early success that Donaire had early on that affirmed his predictions about the fight. He had said to his team before the fight that it wouldn’t last beyond the sixth round. Up until the third round the action in the fight was shared, although not equally, between Donaire and Oubaali. It was a tactical beginning for Oubaali who came out with a strong jab, only to be neutralized by Donaire’s defense. In the second round Oubaali was able to move away from Donaire’s right hand with swift movements. Oubaali was not fully recovered from the first knockdown when he was brutally knocked down again right as the round ended. Donaire sealed his opponent’s fate with the final knockdown in round 4 to make history in the sport and keep his name more than relevant in a sport unforgiving to older, less hungry fighters who are past their prime.
It doesn’t seem, however, that Donaire is any less hungry than a young prospect in the sport looking to make history. This fight full of Donaire’s signature energy and quickness is a testament to his intention to not only continue his career but to keep achieving new levels of success, which will surely reserve him a spot in the Boxing Hall of Fame. Nonito Doniaire has made it clear that he wants to become an undisputed champion. After successfully getting through Oubaali, he looks to be on track to getting there and securing the highly anticipated rematch against Naoya Inoue, which would bring him closer to becoming undisputed.
