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SPORTS SHORTS 141: NONITO DONAIRE AIMS AT BREAKING GERRY PEÑALOSA'S RECORD AS THE OLDEST WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION AGAINST NORDINE OUBAALI By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Sat, 29 May 2021  WBC world bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali and future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire will finally clash for their world title showdown taking place this Saturday, May 29 (Sunday, May 30 in Manila) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. * * * The venue will be open to fans with a limited capacity, and all guests shall remain socially distanced and subject to local and state health guidelines throughout the event. * * * NORDINE OUBAALI Weight 117.6 lbs. Height 5 ft 3. 5 in (161 cm) Reach 67 in (170 cm) Bouts 17 Rounds 94 Record 17-0, 12 KOs KOs 70.59% Born August 4, 1986 (age 34) Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France Residence Bagnolet, Seine-Saint-Denis, France Stance Southpaw * * * NONITO DONAIRE, JR. Weight 117.6 lbs. Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) Reach 68 in (173 cm) Bouts 46 Rounds 289 Record 40-6, 26 KOs KOs 56.52% Born November 16, 1982 (age 38) Talibon, Bohol, Philippines Residence Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Stance Orthodox * * * Referee: Jack Reiss of Brooklyn, New York, USA Judges: Glenn Feldman of Avon, Connecticut, USA Alejandro Rochin of Mexico Pat Russell of La Mesa, California, USA * * * Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook said: "I've become an increasingly big fan of Nonito Donaire over the last — wow, nearly 14 years. I still remember the feeling he came basically out of nowhere to knock Vic Darchinyan out on Showtime, ending Darchinyan’s dominant and rather arrogant run as IBF flyweight champ." * * * "He was terrific last time out, but that was a year-and-a-half ago and he’s a 38-year-old bantamweight now. Furthermore, Oubaali is no joke — he’s a skilled, accomplished fighter with some pop. I think this one winds up gritty and hard-hitting, and I’m going to pick Nonito, but not without controversy... Donaire MD-12," he ended. Wil Esco of Bad Left Hook wrote: "Nonito Donaire has shown something of a resurgence recently. Even in his loss to Naoya Inoue, Donaire proved he’s still got the talent and ability to go toe-to-toe with the best in the world, but at age 38 the question is more about consistency." * * * "But I think Donaire’s last performance has really inspired him... Donaire might be the underdog in this outing but I think Donaire has the dimensions and experience to give Oubaali a tougher fight than some expect. I’m going to take Donaire to pull off the upset. Donaire UD-12," concluded Esco. * * * Patrick L. Stumberg of Bad Left Hook predicted: "That said, both men are coming off of lengthy layoffs and bouts with COVID, so there remain a lot of lingering questions. Even with that uncertainty, though, I say Oubaali’s in-and-out attack allows him to outland Donaire for a competitive decision victory. Oubaali UD-12." * * * Oubaali is shorter, but has a compact firepower with solid stings in both hands and fights with oozing confidence of a true boxing star. He is a highly energized fighter and the southpaw keeps his body exceptionally conditioned to maintain his advantage in every round of a fight and throws almost every punch for a knockout. * * * The 20-year veteran has a vast experience through the years of fighting and has added an intensity of ring shrewdness and a more polished strategy of pacing himself to fortify his physical strength. * * * Donaire may not be a terrific defensive fighter, but his athletic abilities deny his opponents from connecting too many shots. His extraordinary offensive skills helped reduce his foes' aggressiveness in their attacks. * * * Donaire commented about the longest layoff of his career due to the pandemic. “It’s been frustrating at times but it has given me the time to recover and refresh my body. I feel great right now and felt amazing going into training camp. I have been able to get closer to my kids, my wife, and get closer to myself through spirituality." * * * He added that the long rest has given him a chance to heal and feel youthful all over again. The layoff really refreshed him mentality and physically. He says he feel great and doesn't expect any ring rust on Saturday. * * * On the possibility of passing Gerry Peñalosa to become the oldest world bantamweight champion, Donaire said it would be an important accomplishment. "Gerry is a good friend of mine. It would be so significant to me. I am still competing; I am still performing at a very high level," said Donaire. * * * "And it proves that age is not a factor when you are healthy. When you keep yourself motivated and healthy, it all counts. I am really proud of where I’m at and what I can still achieve," added Nonito. * * * Peñalosa stopped Jhonny González of Mexico by 7th KO to win the WBO world bantamweight title at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California on August 11, 2007. At the age of 35, he became the world's oldest bantamweight world champion. * * * Peñalosa defended it against Thailand's Chaiya Pothang by 8th round TKO on April 6, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. He moved up in weight and fought Puerto Rican Juan Manuel López but lost by 10th round TKO on April 25, 2009 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico for JuanMa's WBO super bantamweight title. * * * Boxing was first included at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri seven boxing events were contested. The competitions were held on Wednesday, September 21, 1904 and on Thursday, September 22, 1904. * * * A total of 18 boxers competed at the St. Louis Games all from the United States. Contestants in lighter weight classes could also compete in heavier classes. * * * The first Olympic Boxing gold medalists were all Americans: Flyweight George Finnegan Bantamweight Oliver Kirk Featherweight Oliver Kirk Lightweight Harry Spanjer Welterweight Albert Young Middleweight Charles Mayer Heavyweight Samuel Berger * * * In the Dallas Mavericks' 108-118 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Luka Doncic became the first player in NBA history with 275 points, 75 rebounds, 75 assists in his 9 career playoff games. * * * He joined the elite company of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (325), Michael Jordan (325), Wilt Chamberlain (299) and Bob Mcadoo (295) in scoring almost 300 points in his first nine postseason games. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.  |
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