Philippines, 02 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Donaire's Odds Over Oubaali Improves with Boxing Haitus


PhilBoxing.com



Donaire (R) with Oubaali (C) and Roy Jones Jnr.

Finally, Nonito Donaire and Nordine Oubaali will be meeting for Oubaali's WBC bantamweight title this December 12 in Connecticut, USA as announced by Showtime Boxing.

By that time, the two will have been away from boxing for more than a year having both last saw action in November 2019 under the same promotional card held in Saitama, Japan.

Donaire lost on points to Naoya Inoue in their much awaited Boxing Super Series bantamweight finals where the WBA super, IBF and the Ring lineal titles as well as the prestigious Muhammad Ali trophy signifying overall dominance of the division were at staked.

Oubaali in the main supporting bout successfully defended his WBC title for the second time by outpointing Naoya's younger brother Takuma.

Though loser, Nonito emerged with the lesser physical damage than Naoya who finished with a broken eye socket and nose as well as cuts inside the mouth. Nonito even had Naoya in serious trouble and on the verge of going down at some points of that fight and just lost steam in the homestretch.

As a result, Nonito's stock even rose from that defeat with the WBC naming him as next mandatory challenger to Oubaali who had little difficulties turning back the younger, less heralded Takuma Inoue.

Facing off after those bouts more than year, instead of just six months last May, due to the delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the long layoff is seen as a factor in the chances of both to pull off the victory.

What has boxing history to say about this matter?

George Foreman and Muhammad Ali were the first to prove that far from eroding, long sabbatical from fighting can even improve one's capabilities and outlook for greater success in boxing going forward.

Ali was forced out of boxing for more than three years starting in 1967 due to his Vietnam War military draft evasion case. He came back in 1971 and eventually regained the heavyweight title he actually never lost in the ring in 1974 by sensational 8th round knockout of Foreman in Zaire.

Foreman on the other hand, demoralized by that Ali loss and a highly unexpected points defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, decided to retire from boxing in 1978. He came back TEN YEARS after in 1988 and regained a share of the heavyweight championship by knockout over Michael Moorer in 1995. He became the oldest man to win a world championship until Bernard Hopkins reset the record.

Those were of course extreme cases.

In the more recent case, in late 2009 Floyd Mayweather came back after more than two years away from boxing and regained not only lion share of the welterweight championship but even win world titles at super welterweight two more times after achieving the feat before his first retirement.

In his return until his second retirement in 2015, Floyd with his advancing age became an adherent to observing long rest after hard fights, fighting just an average of one fight per year. He even credited this sabbatical approach in extending his career and much protected unbeaten record.

Of course, the long hiatus from boxing has been forced upon Donaire and Oubaali. What they did and are doing to keep in body and mind in battle readiness status is also to be taken into account.

But experience is also a big factor in determining which fighter of their caliber will be more likely to adjust and offset whatever effects of a long layoff may have on their performance. Leveling off or leveling up?

Donaire has his cup running over after more than 50 fights and ten years under his belt across five weight divisions where he fought and mostly won world titles under varying conditions and levels of difficulties.

At his advancing age, he seems to rediscover his comfort and once deadly self back at bantamweight. He nearly pulled the rugs from under against unarguably top two or three pound for pounder in Naoya.

A long rest would certainly help in healing and recharging his body and sharpening his mind as age does to people at that juncture in life.

Oubaali has just 17 fights and 17 wins thus far in five years. He has so far had his way against mostly B level opponents. He is very young and need more fights to achieve seasoning and his full potentials. He has gathered some momentum particularly the last two years with fights against improving level though mostly still doubtful qualities of foes.

The hiatus has affected his momentum for sure.

Nonito has been leveling off at bantamweight. Nordine has still to level up and the question is, can he, especially given the hiatus?

Given those and what history says, from where I sit, Nonito has the advantage going to their December fight.

Age matters. But experience decisively so.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Carl Jammes Martin Shines in Dominant US Debut Victory in Las Vegas
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Yes (Pa)Cers, It's Indiana in the NBA Finals, Smothers New York Knicks in Game 6, 125-108
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • GM Quizon rules 1st Bino Car Rental Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao vs. Barrios Press Conference: A Clash of Eras Takes Center Stage in Las Vegas (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Viva Promotions chief Brendan Gibbons slowly stepping out of his famous dad's shadow
    By Homer D. Sayson, , Sun, 01 Jun 2025
  • Stacked Card Unveiled for Manny Pacquiao’s Highly Anticipated Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR MELIKUZIEV DEFEATS DARIUS FULGHUM IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR THRILLER
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AFM Benoni Wabe Champ in the IIEE National Midyear Convention Tournament in CDO
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Bektemir Melikuziev Edges Darius Fulghum in Thrilling WBA Title Eliminator
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • A Bridge to Plant versus Charlo is the theme for PBC/Amazon Card on Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • WEIGHIN RESULTS FROM LAS VEGAS: Plant - 167.2. lbs., Resendiz - 167 lbs.; Charlo - 167.4 lbs., LaManna - 166.6 lbs.
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BAM: I WANT TO BE POUND-FOR-POUND NUMBER ONE!
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • QUOTES FROM TODAY’S “HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT” VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Reymart Soledad In Action for ABF Welter Strap in Brico Santig's Promotion in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • Konuk, Chaiyapong Make Weight, Collide for UBO Youth World 140
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • World Boxing to introduce mandatory Sex testing for all boxers that want to Participate in its competitions
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • 2025 BOXING HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY TO BE STREAMED LIVE
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • AJ Paciones Ready for WBO Oriental Battle in Highland Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • BOXER JEAN PASCAL INDUCTED INTO THE BOXING CANADA HALL OF FAME
    , Sat, 31 May 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.