Nonito Donaire was given up for dead when he decided to face Armenian-born Australian Vic Darchinyan last July 7 for the IBF/IBO flyweight crown at the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport , Connecticut. A huge underdog, Donaire made believers out of his critics after knocking the IBF 112-lb crown off Darchinyan’s head in the fifth round with a classic left hook to the jaw. Darchinyan was widely recognized as the top fly in the world, having repulsed six challengers, including his brother Glenn and another Filipino Diosdado Gabi. Going into the fight, Darchin had a 28-0 win-loss card with 22 knockouts, while Donaire had a 17-1 slate with 10 knockouts.
Below are 14 other earth-shaking victories scored by Filipinos in world championship fights stretching back to 1923 in no particular order of importance.
Rolando Navarrete KO5 Cornelius Boza-Edwards, WBC super-featherweight title, Viareggio , Italy , August 29, 1981: A last-minute replacement, Navarrete, then based in Hawaii , banked on his vaunted punching power to snatch the crown before a stunned crowd. Boza-Edwards, the London-based Ugandan went down a few times before referee Arthur Mercante was compelled to call a mercy halt.
Manny Pacquiao KO8 Chatchai Sasakul, WBC flyweight title, Bangkok, Thailand, December 5, 1998: Lanky and short of experience fighting big-named foes, GenSan lefty was being outpunched by the seasoned Thai when he landed a body hot that was followed by his lethal left hand to the jaw that sent Sasakul down for the count.
Pancho Villa KO7 Jimmy Wilde, world flyweight title, New York City , June 18, 1923: Fought at the Polo Grounds, Villa was being outhit by Wilde, nicknamed “The Mighty Atom” when he sent the Welshman down for the count with a barrage of heavy blows. According to accounts, Wilde had to be brought back to his corner with the help of his handlers.
Roberto Cruz KO1 Battling Torres, vacant WBA junior-welterweight title, Los Angeles , March 21, 1963: As part of a triple world championship show by the legendary promoter George Parnassus, the statuesque Cruz crowned himself as king of the 140pounders thanks to his left hook. All it took for Cruz to win was two minutes and seven seconds.
Luisito Espinosa KO4 Alejandro Gonzalez, WBC featherweight title, Guadalajara , Mexico , March 1, 1996: Badly beaten the first time they met a few years earlier, Espinosa flattened ‘Cobrita’ with a right to the jaw. The Mexican had to be stretchered out of the ring.
Ceferino Garcia KO7 Fred Apostoli, world middleweight title, New York City , October 2, 1939: Famed for his bolo punch, Garcia posted one of the biggest wins by a Filipino at Madison Square Garden , the Mecca of Boxing, by decking the feared and heavily-favored Apostoli.
Frank Cedeno KO6 Charlie Magri, WBC flyweight title, London , England , September 27, 1983: Southpaw Cedeno left UK-bred Tunisian Magri in tatters thanks to his dynamite left hand to stage one of the most shocking wins at Wembley Arena. Originally from Cebu, Cedeno had a short reign as he was knocked out by Koji Kobayashi in early-1984 in Tokyo .
Malcolm Tunacao KO6 Megoen Singsurat, WBC flyweight title, Udonthani , Thailand , May 19, 2000: Lacking in experience, former amateur standout Tunacao dazzled Thai slugger with his ring skills en route to a stoppage. Singsurat had won the title from Manny Pacquiao and was expected to run roughshod over the Cebuano with ease.
Erbito Salavarria KO2 Chartchai Chionoi, WBC flyweight title, Bangkok , Thailand , December 7, 1970: As part of the festivities for the King’s birthday, Salavarria dropped the Thai with a left hook to the head and a right to the body as the hometown crowd watched in awe. “It was supposed to be a major celebration for the Thais but Erbito had other plans that night. The King was there when it all happened,” said boxing analyst Moy Lainez, who was part of Salavarria’s entourage.
Manny Pacquiao KO6 Lehlo Ledwaba, IBF super-bantamweight title, Las Vegas , Nevada , June 23, 2001: Making his US debut, Pacquiao made his presence felt in the earkly-goings by bloodying the South African’s face with his famed left hand. Referee Joe Cortez had no choice but stop the carnage when the Filipino sent Ledwaba with another left to the kisser.
Luisito Espinosa KO1 Khaokor Galaxy, WBA bantamweight title, Bangkok , Thailand , October 18, 1989: Double left hook by the Filipino hitman sent the compact champion to the floor for the full count.
Rolando Pascua KO6 Humberto Gonzalez, WBC light-flyweight title, Los Angeles , December 19, 1990: Picked from obscurity, light-hitting left-hander from Talisay, Cebu , handed the formidable Mexican his first devastating defeat with a clinical pounding before silenced fans at the Inglewood Forum.
Morris East KO11 Akinobu Hiranaka, WBA junior-welterweight title, Tokyo , Japan , September 9, 1992: Olongapo-born East was supposed to be a sacrificial lamb but the son of a US serviceman dropped the hometowner with a left to the jaw for the ten count.
Manny Pacquiao KO11 Marco Antonio Barrera, unofficial world featherweight title, San Antonio , Texas , November 15, 2003: Going up in weight, Pacquiao administered a heavy beating from start to finish, forcing one of Barrera’s cornermen to go up the ring and compel referee Laurence Cole to intervene as Pacquiao continued to rain heavy blows on his fancied foe. It was the worst loss ever for Barrera, who ringsiders thought would never fight again.
