Matt Ortega

Bay Area-based Filipino fighter Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (18-1, 11KOs) knocked out IBF/IBO Flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan (28-1, 22KOs) with a fifth round left hook in Bridgeport, Connecticut tonight.

Despite repeated claims in the media to make short work of Donaire, Darchinyan was stopped when he stumbled in a failed attempt to get on his feet following the final left hook.

Watch highlights from Showtime:

Mark Vester of Boxing News reports:

Darchinyan was a heavy favorite to win the fight and most saw this bout as a stepping stone towards bigger things for the unbeaten champ. Nothing is set in stone in the sport of boxing. Donaire had his way with Darchinyan for all five rounds, landing his punches, getting away from counters and putting on a boxing clinic. [emphasis added]

Salven L. Lagumbay writes for PhilBoxing:

When it rains, it pours.

This as the Philippines added yet a new world champion to its fold in just a matter of hours when Fil-Am Nonito Donaire mercilessly stopped the erstwhile unbeaten IBF/IBO superfly king Vic Darchinyan in the fifth round at the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. [emphasis added]

In conferences leading up to the fight, Darchinyan was talking a lot of smack.

I trained very hard for two months so I’m hoping Donaire comes to fight. I hope he can last with me six-to-eight rounds, and this doesn’t just go one or two. Otherwise, all the training would be a waste and I may decide to only train one month next time.

Darchinyan was the one that was unable to last six-to-eight rounds as he was floored in five.

More from Bad Left Hook’s SC:

I had Donaire winning every round up to that point. The 24-year old Filipino scored what could be the upset of the year, did it in style, and avenged his brother Glenn, who was hammered by Darchinyan last year. Glenn’s advice may have given Nonito an advantage, but the truth is, Darchinyan’s style was totally ineffective last night. Donaire had his number in a big way, and walked through him.

After the fight, Darchinyan was delusional at best and classless at worst. Seemingly unable to turn off his swaggering ego, Darchinyan was given respect and kind words from Donaire, then countered by immediately demanding a rematch. He said he wasn’t knocked out, though his glassy eyes, bewildered look, spurting nose and overall stumbling around the ring told a different story. Referee Eddie Claudio wasn’t the only one ready to stop the fight. A member of Darchinyan’s corner rushed into the ring to tackle his fighter before Claudio even called it off. The fight was over. Darchinyan was pummeled.

Darchinyan came off as the sorest possible loser, in total disbelief. But when he watches the tape, what’s he going to see? Donaire’s power and speed made Darchinyan look bush-league and outright awkward.

For more on the story and photos, check out the Connecticut Post.

The media reports all claim that Donaire was out to “avenge” the loss his brother, Glenn, suffered to Darchinyan last October. Late last month, Donaire tried to put that meme to rest.