Philippines, 01 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE REPEATS OVER DARCHINYAN WITH 9TH ROUND TKO WIN


PhilBoxing.com




All that Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire needed was to reprise the vicious left hook that knocked out Vic ?The Raging Bull? Darchinyan in the 5th round on July 7, 2007 to stop the three-division world champion once again in their eagerly-awaited rematch at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, Sunday Manila Time.

It was a vastly different Darchinyan who gave Donaire?s corner some anxious moments as an overly cautious Donaire, looking to regain his status as a pound for pound fighter after his stunning loss to two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux last November, failed to find his range or rhythm against a methodical Darchinyan who appeared to get the better of some toe-to-toe exchanges in rounds four and five.

After Donaire wobbled Darchinyan with a right in round two, Drachinyan?s trainer admonished the Australian and told him ?I don?t want him to get you with the right hand again.?

Rather than his vaunted left hook which he figured Darchinyan prepared for, Donaire banked on his right to do the damage but after Darchinyan connected with big left hands in rounds 4 and 5, trainer Robert Garcia told Nonito ?don?t stand in front of him? while Darchinyan?s corner sensed they had the momentum and commended the southpaw for ?beautiful work? and cautioned ?everybody stay relaxed.?

Darchinyan kept connecting with his left and appeared to try to steal some of the middle rounds with last second flurries a couple of them continuing even after the bell while Donaire only had a right counter to show for his efforts.

A worried Garcia told Donaire at the end of the 8th round with his father, Nonito ?Dodong? Donaire Sr also jumping in to support Robert, ?throw more punches. You can?t win this fight by throwing one punch? which Donaire appeared to be relying on much of the time.

Taking their admonition to heart Donaire caught Darchinyan who in a throwback moment to his usual fighting style lunged forward to keep the pressure on Donaire and got nailed with his patented left hook and went down.

A decidedly groggy Darchinyan who looked to his corner for solace beat the count before Donaire went for the kill, swarming all over the dazed Aussie with a barrage of heavy handed shots including one mighty uppercut that effectively bludgeoned Darchinyan, forcing referee Laurence Cole to call a halt at 2:06 of the round.

At the time of the stoppage two of the three judges had Darchinyan inexplicably ahead by four points, 78-74 which translated into giving him six of the eight rounds while the third judge had it even at 76-76.

In a post-fight interview with the Manila Standard, Donaire said ?that?s their opinion but I never wanted to leave it in their hands.?

Donaire revealed ?I think there might be a little fracture in my cheek because I got hit hard a few times on the same side and the accumulation of punches on the same spot may have fractured my cheekbone. We?ll have it checked and have the injury fixed first? which meant postponing his planned return to Manila on November 13.

He also disclosed that ?both my hands are bruised.?

Donaire didn't wish to make excuses but disclosed that he had a touch of the flu this past week which he described as ?unfortunate and we didn?t start up nearly as much as we wanted to. It was a tough one.?

Donaire admitted ?we got away with it today but we can?t do that in the next fight. We have to get back to the drawing boards.?

He said this time around Drachinyan ?was very careful, very tough. He learned a lot, used a lot of movement while we hesitated.?

Informed that Manny Pacquiao called this reporter who was doing the fight coverage on ABS-CBN Channel 2 along with Atty. Ed Tolentino to find out what happened to the Donaire fight, Nonito said ?please thank him. I wish him the best. He?ll do fine? in his showdown in Macau against Brandon ?Bam Bam? Rios on November 24.

Donaire carried his baby son Jarel into the ring and lifted him high above his head and told us, ?he is amazing. He is my inspiration.?

At the same time he dedicated his victory to those who had suffered in the recent major earthquake and the horrific super storm Yolanda which cut a swath of death and massive destruction through the Visayas and Mindanao and said ?This win is not mine, it's for the Philippines. Let us pray for those who suffered so much. And thank you for your support.?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • “It’s time for TSABZ to shine” Get to know Tanaka Saburi as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ATLANTIC CITY BOXING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2026
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: WCM Nika Juris Nicolas is Ready to Fight
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.