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Donaire turned pro in 2001 and lost his second fight.
September 9, 2002, Nonito Donaire won his first regional title by defeating Kaichon Sor Vorapin for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific flyweight title in Guam. Donaire knocked out the future world title challenger in the second round.
January 20, 2006, Nonito won his second regional title, the NABF super flyweight title, by defeating Kahren Harutyunyan on Shobox by split decision. The scores were 97-92 twice for Donaire and 95-94 for Harutyunan.
October 7, 2006, Donaire added the NABO super flyweight title and successfully defended it against veteran Oscar Andrade by the scores of 118-109 and 116-112 twice. His older brother, Glenn Donaire, fought and lost to Vic Darchinyan on the same night.
Donaire won the IBF flyweight title with a 5th round knockout of undefeated Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007. This victory was awarded Ring Magazine's "Knockout of the Year" and "Upset of the Year" on December 23, 2007.
On July 31, 2007, Donaire met Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo along with Florante Condes, who won the IBF minimumweight title on the same weekend as Donaire. Donaire said the experience was “an overwhelming feeling. It was indescribable. The moment I walked up the stairs and she was up there and when I looked it was a moment when I couldn’t even look at her face. It was a great honor.”
On December 1, 2007, Donaire defended his title against Luis Maldonado of Mexico by technical knockout in the 8th round in his first title defense to keep his IBF flyweight crown. Donaire stated: "I guess my validation was today but I didn't feel my best; I felt sluggish. I didn't have my legs. I don't know what the problem was. I couldn't move well so I tried to rely on my upper body movement."
On February 16, 2008, in Manila, Philippines, Donaire received the Philippine Sports Award for 2007 Athlete of the Year, alongside amateur swimmer Miguel Molina.
In late June 2008, Donaire severed ties with promoter Gary Shaw because the number of fights had not matched the number stated in the contract and Shaw had failed to properly disclose revenue from previous fights as stated under the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act. Days after leaving Gary Shaw Productions, he would sign with Top Rank Boxing.
Donaire, on November 2, 2008, retained his International Boxing Federation flyweight world title via a 6th-round (1:31) technical knockout of Moruti Mthalane.
On April 19, 2009, Donaire faced flyweight Raul Martinez for his third defense of his IBF Flyweight title at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines. Donaire scored the TKO after 2:42 into the 4th round. Because of his victory over Martinez, Donaire was included for the first time in the Ring Magazine pound for pound rankings, in the 8th spot.
Donaire and his camp have expressed interest to move up to the junior bantamweight/super flyweight at 115 pounds. Donaire's manager, Cameron Dunkin, along with his promoter, Bob Arum, are reportedly discussing a possible fight with José López for his WBO Super Flyweight title on August 22, 2009 at AT&T Park. |
