Latest on Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire

Informed by Top Rank Promotions that his challenge for an immediate rematch was refused by Jessie Magdaleno, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire has recently parted ways with his US-based promoter of 10 years. His partnership with Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank Promotions, has brought him four-weight world championships - from flyweight to featherweight -- and a relatively extended stay in the prestigious list of pound-for-pound fighters.

On Nov. 5, 2016 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nonito Donaire (37-4,24 KOs) fought, in defense of his WBO super bantamweight title, the 25-year-old Jessie Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs)  in a boxing card headlined by Manny Pacquiao's challenge of Jessie Vargas' WBO welterweight crown. But in deep contrast to the high excitement and enthusiasm Nonito Donaire had shown before the fight, he seemed to be listless, lacking  motivation and the will to win in that fight against his fellow Las Vegas resident. Nonito Donaire, who traces his roots from General Santos City, Philippines, eventually dropped the fight via unanimous decision.

The Jessie Magdaleno fight was Nonito Donaire's last contractual fight produced by Top Rank but he would have stayed had Magdaleno accepted his request for an immediate rematch. But in an apparent display of taking the path of least resistance, Magdaleno opted to fight the 12^th contender Adeilson Dos Santos at the StubHub Center, Carlson, California on April 22. There was no rematch clause between the Las Vegas native and Nonito Donaire because Jessie Magdaleno was the mandatory challenger.

Meantime, Nonito Donaire, 34, whose status in terms of greatness as a Filipino boxer is in a conversation that include Manny Pacquiao, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, and Pancho Villa, is a free agent according to his wife Rachel Donaire and as reported on boxingscene. Donaire is no longer on a promotional contract - but remains amicable and is free to comeback anytime - with Top Rank.  

The wife of Nonito Donaire of more than 7 years, further stated his husband has no plans of hanging up his gloves just as yet, making an argument that the Fil-Am champ has still what it takes to reclaim dominance and greatness, at the 126 lbs weight limit in particular. Meanwhile, they are engaged in a conversation with other promotional companies which they claimed to be very receptive - decision coming in couple of weeks or a month.