History made ✅ @filipinoflash is champion again! #OubaaliDonaire pic.twitter.com/Kjwgq9WqGp
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 30, 2021
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 30) – Nonito Donaire delivered a vintage performance in knocking out French boxer Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round to clinch the WBC bantamweight title on Sunday (Philippine time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
The 38-year-old Filipino boxing sensation is the oldest boxer to win a major bantamweight world title.
Donaire finished Oubaali with a three-punch combination during the 1:52 mark of the fourth round.
“Being at this age is not the question, it’s about my performance, about my ability to grow. I believe it matters not what your age is but how you are mentally,” said Donaire after the fight. “Tonight was something that I had to prove to the world, that I’m back and I’m stronger than ever.”
Before the winning knockdown, Donaire sent Oubaali to the canvas twice in the third round. The Filipino landed a vicious left hook to the French fighter in the last 45 seconds to give Oubaali’s first knockdown in his professional career.
Oubaali beat the count, but he was attacked with a flurry of punches by Donaire and fell down as the bell rang to end the third round.
Donaire improved his win-loss-draw record to 41-6-0 with 27 knockouts, while Oubaali suffered his first professional career loss as he dropped to 17-1-0 with 12 knockouts.
Donaire, also known as “The Filipino Flash,” is expected to get a second fight against WBF, IBF, and The Ring bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue. Donaire lost to Inoue in a unanimous decision in their first encounter last November 2019 in Saitama, Japan.
WOW. pic.twitter.com/IBvYfxDuZC
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) May 30, 2021
