Nordine Oubaali vs Nonito Donaire: It’s too early to write off the Filipino!

On May 30 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, USA, Nordine Oubaali and Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire will fight for the WBC world title in a 12-round bout.

The fight between WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Ubaali and highly experienced Filipino and former holder of many titles, Nonito Donaire, was announced back in December. But at first, the Frenchman had problems with obtaining an American visa and an Asian boxer was looking for a new opponent. Then, Donaire himself withdrew from the show for medical reasons. Now, nothing should stand in the way of the fight. The Frenchman has a more confident performance in his recent fights, but the Filipino has a much more impressive record. So it’s hard to name a clear favourite.

Oubaali won the WBC title in January 2019 and has already managed to defend it twice. His pro record includes 17 fights and he has yet to suffer a single loss. The boxer won 12 fights by knockouts, but in the last three encounters, he failed to finish his opponents. Nordine had his previous fight in November 2019 against Takuma Inoue.

Oubaali was a member of the French boxing team in the second half of the 2000s and early 2010s. He participated in two Olympic Games (2008, 2012). Nordine is a bronze medalist of the World Championship (2007), he is a champion of the Mediterranean Games (2009), winner of national and international tournaments in the amateurs. Among professionals, he is the current WBC world champion, former WBA Inter-Continental and WBC Silver bantamweight champion.

You can’t count the number of times Nonito Donaire fought for the title, but he became the champion for the first time in 2007.

It’s a little early to write off the veteran. Donaire, despite losing his last fight, made a great show and looked just as good as Naoya Inoue.

Here’s a quote from an unknown fan:

That was the coolest boxing I’ve seen in years! It’s been a long time since I’ve watched a fight I can’t tear my eyes away from the monitor. It was not a simple fight like Gatti vs Ward, it was real boxing, the guys made good moves, worked in series, switched on the footwork when it was necessary. But most importantly, they both sharpened up, no one wanted to work as the second number, they tried to put each other on their heels, itэs beautiful, itэs respectable. Donaire is a warrior!!! Even when he was weaker, he was punching and dangerously counterattacking. It takes an unbelievable level of moral strength to return to the fight after such a punch to the liver.

Unknown fan

The reigning champion is the favorite, but when you’re fighting Donaire, always be prepared for something unexpected. It’s not going to be easy with the Filipino, and if you hesitate for a second, you’re screwed. We believe that Donaire hasn’t said his last word in boxing yet.

Bookmaker 1xBet offers odds of 3.32 on his win, while the odds on Oubaali is only 1.31.