By: Julio Olmo
Already a future Hall of Famer in waiting, four-division champion Nonito Donaire continues to defy Father Time by daring to be great in search of more hardware.
Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs), the 38-year-old slugger from the Philippines, shattered his own record as the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title at 118 pounds when he dropped WBC champion Nordine Oubaali (17-1, 12 KOs) a trio of times on Saturday en route to an emphatic fourth-round knockout at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
“The King has returned,” Donaire said. “You know, being at this age is really not the “The King has returned,” Donaire said. “You know, being at this age is really not the question, it’s my performance. It’s really the ability to grow. I believe that it matters not what your age is, it matters in how you are mentally.
“Father Time has been on my side. I believe the human body is an incredible machine if we take care of it. That’s the question, taking care of our body allows it to be as strong as we can be.
Because mentally, we’re only as strong as our mind can be.”
Donaire returned to the ring for the first time in 18 months when he co-authored 2019’s Fight of the Year in a spirited decision loss to unbeaten destroyer Naoya Inoue, in a fight in which Donaire broke the Japanese pound-for-pound star’s eye socket.
“What I learned from Inoue is [that] I’m back,” Donaire said. “I knew that I was not fighting, I was learning. I’m ready for the next one.”
https://twitter.com/ShowtimeBoxing/status/1398854368506658817?s=19
Donaire put Oubaali away for good with a three-punch combination ending with a body shot against the ropes. Oubaali crumbled to the ground and Reiss instantly waved the fight off without a count at 1:52 of Round 4.
After the fight, Donaire continued to pursue an interest in a rematch against Inoue (20-0, 17 KOs), the WBA and IBF champion, who returns June 19 to defend his titles in Las Vegas against Michael Dasmarinas.
“The Old Man” made us – Old Timers – Proud!
Love the @filipinoflash ! Thank You! @collazophilly @rudedogreyes @GregCowboys @Montejp231 @Cheapseatsbox @TheRealDealwDA @jeolmoz2 pic.twitter.com/KySozjYBBA
— Cuban Lion (@LionCuban) May 30, 2021
Congrats Nonito Donaire on a huge KO win! The oldest WBC bantamweight champion in history. Still living up to your nickname, the Flash! #PinoyPride 🇵🇭
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) May 30, 2021
Fight Nights at all clubhouses just continue be entertaining and at this juncture Combat Sports is a runaway success, in spite of all the drama. Personally, I enjoy all the attention and unlike a great many of my – Purists! – brothers and sisters find all the controversy surrounding Combat Sports very, very entertaining.
Example Devin Haney surviving a late scare to get the decision over Jorge Linares.
Haney got off to a great start but got hurt late which had him holding on to retain his WBC title.
In fact, I had Haney clearly winning the first nine rounds with his superior boxing before things would take a somewhat dramatic turn late. In the 10th round, Linares landed a combination right at the bell, specifically a clean right hand on the chin, which had Haney staggered at the bell.
Devin Haney wobbles going back to his corner after the 10th! 🤯#HaneyLinares pic.twitter.com/6JNgW7gh98
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 30, 2021
In the following rounds, Haney’s disposition was clearly different as he would repeatedly grab hold of Linares as it appeared his legs still weren’t fully back under him. Despite holding Linares over and over for most of the last three rounds Haney was never warned for the tactic, but it sure pissed off the fans in attendance who booed the champion for good portions down the stretch including during his post-fight interview. In the end, the official judges turned in a unanimous decision for Haney.
Thank You @JorgeLinares ! @Realdevinhaney gets worked by @VasylLomachenko & @TeofimoLopez ! @TheRealDealwDA @Cheapseatsbox @collazophilly @GregCowboys @Montejp231 @rudedogreyes @jeolmoz2 #HaneyLinares pic.twitter.com/LgpA8vQlVd
— Cuban Lion (@LionCuban) May 30, 2021
Great way to end the Night! @combateglobal ! @MaxBretosSports @collazophilly @rudedogreyes @Montejp231 @emscharf @jeolmoz2 @chili227 @IsVatIs @ArdelioValdes @Realmommabear @megly71 @MaureennKelly @GregCowboys #MMA pic.twitter.com/uSImyiEjpp
— Cuban Lion (@LionCuban) May 30, 2021
For all your Fight Night’s Gambling Favorite Wagers Visit: Jazz Sportsbook.
Jazz Sportsbook OFFICIAL WEBSITE
On this date in 2019, Andy Ruiz (+1500)delivered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.pic.twitter.com/vupiN2LhXN
— JAZZ Sportsbook (Official) (@SportsbookJazz) June 1, 2021
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