The Filipino Flash” Donaire’s four victories this year has earned him a spot on every boxing pundit’s short list for the best boxer of 2012.
Two respected international boxing writers, Dan Rafael of ESPN and Tim Starks of Queensberry-rules.com picked Donaire as their choice for “Boxer of the Year.”
Donaire (31W-1L, 20 KOs) had a spectacular year after beating Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. of Puerto Rico by split decision for the WBO super bantamweight title, Jeffrey Mathebula by unanimous decision in a WBO-IBF unification bout, WBC Emeritus champ Toshiaki Nishioka by 9th round TKO and Mexico’s Jorge Arce by third round knockout.
Donaire gave up his IBF belt prior to facing Nishioka but he also garnered the linear world super bantamweight title bestowed by Ring Magazine after beating the Japanese boxer who was considered No. 1 in the 122 lb division.
As of this writing, Ring Magazine has yet to post on its website if they chose Donaire as its “Fighter of the Year.” The publication traditionally considered as the ‘Bible of Boxing’ did pick Donaire’s trainer Robert Garcia as ‘Trainer of the Year.’
The 30 year old Donaire’s closest rival for boxer of the year honors is Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico who had a stunning sixth round knockout win over arch rival Manny Pacquiao last Dec. 9.