Philippines, 13 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE TKO'S MTHALANE IN 6TH!


PhilBoxing.com




LAS VEGAS--IBF flyweight king Nonito Donaire Jr bucked a second-round finger injury to retain his title with a TKO win in the sixth round over Moruti Mthalane moments ago.

Donaire, breathing heavily but constantly piling up the points, cut Mthalane over the left eye, and referee Joe Cortez signalled the ringside physician to check on the challenger.

The fight was stopped at the 1:31 mark of the sixth.

"I hit him with a right straight, and I saw he got cut big," said Donaire in an interview.

Donaire, wearing an Arthro headband before and after the fight, was leading in all three judges' scorecards before the stoppage of the fight, with the Filipino Flash throwing more punches and throwing more power punches than the game challenger.

"I needed to switch to southpaw, as I injured a left finger in the 2nd round. The switch was very useful," Donaire said after the fight.

With the win, a possible Donaire-Darchinyan rematch now looms after the latter stopped Cristian Mijares earlier today in the ninth round in California.

Promoter Bob Arum, however, announced that Donaire's next fight should take place in March next year either in Macau or Manila, definitely against a Mexican. He floated the names of WBO superfly champ Fernando Montiel or Jorge Arce as possible opponents.

"This victory is a strong statement that Nonito is the next Filipino boxing star to Manny Pacquiao. He is an assurance that the glory of Philippine boxing is here to stay," says sportsman-businessman Jonathan Guardo, head of Uniherb, maker of Arthro Kontra Arthritis which Donaire endorses.

"He's an exciting boxer and will be a tremendous draw in his future fights.Bob Arum has found another gem from the Philippines," added Guardo.

Donaire, in a long-distance conversation with Guardo yesterday, informed the sportsman that he will fly to the Philippines with his wife Rachel in time for Christmas.

"We will roll out the red carpet for a great champion like him. Donaire showed that he is indeed a legitimate star of the game," added Guardo.



Top photo: Nonito Donaire, Jr., (L) digs a right to the body of Moruti Mthalane in this bit of action from their IBF flyweight title fight Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Jose Laquindanum, Jr.


Donaire fighting smart against Mthalane.


Nonito Donaire, Jr., (R) connects a looping right to the head of Moruti Mthalane of South Africa during their IBF title fight Saturday night at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.


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


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026
  • Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
    , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.