Philippines, 26 Mar 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE DEFENDS CROWN TODAY BEFORE THE BIG FIGHTS


PhilBoxing.com




LAS VEGAS--IBF flyweight king Nonito Donaire is set to defend his title today in what is going to be his final hurdle before taking on the big names in his foray into the star-studded superflyweight division next year.

The 25-year-old Donaire, nicknamed "The Filipino Flash," will defend his title against South African mandatory challenger Moruti Mthalane in a 12-round brawl co-headlining the "Final Impact" card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center here.

Solar Sports and CS-9 will air the fights starting 10AM today (RP time).

Donaire (19-1, 12 KO's), wearing a handsomely-tailored Arthro Kontra Arthritis jacket before stepping on the scales, came in at a perfect 112 lbs, while Moruti (22-1, 15 KO's)followed shortly after and checked in at 111 lbs during official weigh-in held yesterday at the J-Pop lounge of the Mandalay Bay.

Shortly after his trip to the scales, the Filipino boxing star and Moruti posed for photographers, although they did away with the usual trash talking prevalent in most high-profile fights here. Donaire then immediately took some bites of ripe bananas and orange juice prepared for him by his team, which includes renowned trainer Nonito Donaire Sr.

"This time, I am not really having a very hard time making weight. I had enough time to do it," Donaire told this writer prior to the official weigh-in attended by promoter Bob Arum and hosted by Lupe Contreras.

The main event features "Son of the Legend" Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in an anticipated rematch with Matt Vanda.

Popular Mexican Jorge "Travieso" Arce, the reigning WBA interim superflyweight champion, will also defend his title against Isidro Garcia over twelve.

If both Donaire and Arce come out victorious in today's fights, Top Rank plans to pit the two fighters sometime next year. Donaire is also looking at possible marquee fights against top superflyweight fighters WBC/WBA champ Cristian Mijares, IBF titleholder Vic Darchinyan, and WBO ruler Fernando Montiel.

Mijares and Darchinyan are also set to trade punches today in a WBC/WBA/IBF unification showdown in California, with the winner expected to be pitted against Donaire if he wins against Mthalane today.

Donaire is set to return to the Philippines for a much-deserved vacation after this fight, said his trainer/father Nonito Sr.

The young fighter, who will be wearing a white-and-red trunks with "Arthro" embossed across the back, goes into today's battle with his whole family behind him including his mother, sister, and a brother.

Working the young champion's corner today will be his father, ex-WBA junior welter king Morris East, and a younger brother.

Top photo: Nonito Donaire, Jr. (L) and Moruti Mthalane pose during yesterday's official weighin held at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.


Donaire posed with he author before yesterday's weighin.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • VAN BOENING FALLS FROM THE TOP SIX WHILE CHUA CLOSES IN | 2025 IFX PAYMENTS PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
    , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • GM Joey Antonio's Australian Chess Circuit campaign is in peril, facing visa problem
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • Pacman to stage ‘Thrilla’ celebration
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • May 10: Emanuel Navarrete-Charly Suarez Junior Lightweight Title Showdown & Raymond Muratalla-Zaur Abdullaev Interim Lightweight Title Fight
    , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • Mikaela Mayer-Sandy Ryan 2 Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • ROBERT GUERRERO III REMAINS UNDEFEATED WITH IMPRESSIVE 2ND ROUND TKO IN LAS VEGAS DEBUT
    , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • LENIER PERO PENS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM AND BOXLAB
    , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • Team Law Office of Peter Chin-Durias representing Misamis Occidental swept 1st CDO Chess Grandmaster Quest Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 26 Mar 2025
  • WBA, WBO AND RING MAGAZINE MINIMUMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION OSCAR “EL PUPILO” COLLAZO HOSTS MEDIA WORKOUT
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • SHOWTIME BOXING PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF MICHAEL HUNTER VS. CHRISTOPHER LOVEJOY MAIN EVENT
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • CAPITO BACK ON TOP AS SIX PLAYERS KNOCKED OUT ON JUDGEMENT DAY | 2025 IFX PAYMENTS PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • Christy Martin Promotions Signs Undefeated Super Bantamweight Prospect Sheldon Vallotton to Promotional Contract
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 24 March 2025: Fundora Stops Booker in 4; Kambosos Outpoints Wyllie; Brown Edges Nicolson
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • Socrates Batoto: A Champion of the Orient, Inspired by the Great Flash Elorde
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • Llover Halts Kurihara in the Very First Round, Completes Conquest of OPBF Bantam Crown
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR JOURNALIST COLIN HART
    , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • Concio faces tough competition in Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 25 Mar 2025
  • OKC Nips LA Clippers in Late Season Struggle; Keeps League Lead, Drops Clips to 8th
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • CHUA TAKES CONTROL AT THE TOP | 2025 IFX PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
    , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • IIEE champ in billiard, PICE repeats in bowling and GEP draws 1700 runners in PTC WED
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 24 Mar 2025
  • Datamatics A are kings of Atty. Quirino Sagario Memorial Chess Team Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • Star Frisco: Fighting with Heart, Never with Fear
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION GEORGE FOREMAN
    , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • WORLD NINEBALL TOUR ANNOUNCES BLOCKBUSTER AUGUST SWING ACROSS AMERICA
    , Sun, 23 Mar 2025
  • Do the Oddsters Know Something We Don't?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 22 Mar 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.