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SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Nov 2025
Donaire KOs Darchinyan.
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire won two Knockouts of the Year by the Ring Magazine in 2007 and 2011.
On July 7, 2007 Donaire faced Armenian Vic Darchinyan at The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A. He first became a world champion when he won the IBF flyweight title in 2004 stopping Irene Pacheco's five-year flyweight reign. He defended his title six times before meeting a perfect match in Donaire.
Darchinyan was undefeated before the fight but yielded to Donaire's thundering left hook hell for the shocking upset knockout loss. Donaire went to fight as a counter puncher in round 5 and looked for an opening taking advantage of Darchinyan's wide, looping shots. After Darchinyan threw a slow jab at the middle of the round Donaire landed a perfect left hook that sent Darchinyan crashing to the canvas.
The champion, seemingly went down for the first time in his career, was grappling to stand up. As soon as he got up he stumbled into the ropes and his cornerman entered the ring and the referee waved bout off calling it a TKO.
Donaire KOs Montiel.
The fight was also judged as Upset of the Year by Ring Magazine. Donaire won the IBF and IBO flyweight titles.
On February 19, 2011, Donaire took on Mexican Fernando Montiel at Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.A.
Donaire controlled most of the first round and pummelled Montiel with a left hook that sent the champion to the canvas in the second round. Montiel was able to get up on his feet and was allowed by the referee to continue. Donaire landed two solid punches that promoted the referee to end the bout at 2:25 of Round 2.
Donaire won the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles. After his victory he was promoted to 3rd in Ring Magazine's "pound for pound" rankings, behind only Juan Manuel Márquez and Sergio Martínez.
When The Ring started giving the award for exceptional knockouts, only three fighters scored two Knockouts of the Year. Aside from Donaire , the other two who won it twice were Canelo Alvarez and Lennox Lewis.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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