Nonito Donaire is Yahoo! 2012 Fighter of the Year

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire is Yahoo! Sports’ 2012 Fighter of the Year, the top Filipino boxer’s third such honor for 2012.

Donaire edged out some of the year’s standout fighters, such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero, and even fellow Filipino Brian Viloria for the honor, given out by the sports site since 2007.

“None of them [the other fighters] had the goods in 2012 because of the brilliance of a quiet, understated guy who consistently went out and performed at a high level,” Yahoo! Sports’ boxing expert Kevin Iole wrote Wednesday, January 9 (Thursday, January 10 in Manila).

With a win-loss record of 4-0 in 2012, Donaire, said Iole, “showed the complete package, using speed, ower, accuracy, ring generalship, defense and courage to post decision wins over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula and stoppages over Toshiaki Nishioka and Jorge Arce.”

Iole also said that Donaire’s enrollment in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association program was a plus factor in their selection. Under the said program, the boxer is subject to random blood and urine testing throughout the year.

“Donaire did his job as a clean athlete,” he wrote.

“He was the epitome of a champion and is a deserving recipient of the 2012 Yahoo! Sports Fighter of the Year award,” Iole said.

In December, top sports news organizations Sports Illustrated and ESPN, in separate announcments, also named Donaire as their “Fighter of the Year.” 

Donaire follows the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao, who was Yahoo!’s fighter of the year for 2008 and 2009.

Andre Ward received the honor in 2011. – Rappler.com