Nonito Donaire was born in the Philippines, and went to the same school as world champion Manny Pacquiao. He joined his father in Los Angeles, CA in 1993. Donaire was actually a frail child, with asthma problems that caused him to be bullied at school. He began boxing at a local gym when he was only 11-years-old. He hated boxing at times, but stuck with it to earn the approval of his father.
Donaire has been married since 2008, after a private Carmel, CA ceremony. He and his wife Rachel Marcial had an official church wedding in 2011 in the Philippines. His wife is a member of his boxing team, as is her father. Donaire likes to please people who are always there for him.
When he was an amateur, Donaire won three American championships at the national level. In 1999, he won the International Junior Olympics. He turned pro in 2001 and his original monthly salary was $1500. He went on a winning streak that lasted for more than ten years. Donaire won a title in the regional flyweight class in 2002. He won the NABF Super Flyweight title in 2006.
In the flyweight division, he won the IBF title with a KO in the fifth round of previously undefeated Vic Darchinyan, in 2007. He defended the title against Luis Maldonado with a TKO in the eighth round. He left his promoter, Gary Shaw, in 2008, due to fewer fights being scheduled than they had agreed upon. In addition, Shaw had not properly disclosed the revenue won from fights.
Donaire retained his IBF title in 2008, when he had a TKO of Moruti Mthalane. Donaire had an asthma attack during sparring for the fight, but his father made him spar 12 rounds anyway, not knowing the cause. He went to the hospital with bronchitis, and was diagnosed with asthma, as well. He broke ties with his father after that day.
In 2010, Donaire would challenge Wladimir Sidorenko, to fight for the WBC Americas Bantamweight Championship, which was vacant at the time. He knocked Sidorenko down three times, and was the first person that stopped him. In 2011, he took the WBO and WBC Bantamweight titles, and beat Omar “El Huracan” Narvaez in New York City. He had wanted to knock the other fighter out, but failed to do so.
In 2012, Donaire fought Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. and won by split decision, capturing the WBO Super Bantamweight title. Vazquez could not match the speed and punching ability of Donaire. He knocked Vazquez down in the ninth round. Vasquez could not hurt Donaire after that point. They made it through the last round, even with exciting flurries in the later rounds. Donaire won in a split decision. He is only the second Asian to have won championships in four separate divisions.
