Recently, the WBC officials declare Donaire as its WBC Comeback Fighter of the year award.
The comeback fighter of the year award is usually given to the boxer who made a huge lift for his boxing career this year.
On May 30, 2021, Donaire became the oldest bantamweight champion after knocking down Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in the fourth round at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
In winning the boxing title in his 40s Donaire said taking care of your body can result in greatness.
"Age is a number. An 80-year-old can be in a wheelchair or can be running marathons. HEALTH is WEALTH. PERIOD...and the story continues," Donaire said on his Twitter account.
“I believe that the human body is an incredible machine, an incredible thing if we take care of it… Taking care of our body allows us to be as strong as it can be because mentally we are only as strong as our mind can be,” Donaire added.
Donaire, who first captured the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles against Mexican Fernando Montiel of Mexico, has been vocal about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and rock-solid mindset amid the COVID-19 pandemic and these efforts came into fruition against Oubaali.
Considered as the underdog against the 34-year-old champion, Donaire surprised the boxing world when he knock-out the previously unbeaten Oubaali in the fourth round.
With his shock win, Donaire improved to a 41-6 record on top of 27 knockouts while the Frenchman of Moroccan descent has a 17-1 slate with 12 KOs.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)
World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.Photo: Nonito Donaire Twitter account
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