Donaire, with new promoter and trainer, returns with decision win over Hernandez

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire Jr made his return to the ring after 10 months out, winning a unanimous decision against unheralded Mexican boxer Ruben Garcia Hernandez on Saturday, September 23 (Sunday Manila time) in San Antonio, Texas.

It was Donaire’s first fight since losing his WBO junior featherweight title last November to Jessie Magdaleno, and was his first since signing with promoter Ringstar Sports, having left Top Rank earlier this year, and elevating Michael Bazzel from assistant to head trainer.

Donaire, a native of Talibon, Bohol, Philippines who was raised in San Leandro, California, raised his record to (38-4, 24 knockouts) while Hernandez, 10 years Donaire’s junior at 24, dropped to 22-3-1 (9 KOs).

The win earned Donaire the WBC silver featherweight title, a stepping stone to what he hopes will be the accomplishment of one goal the 4-division champion has not yet completed in his 16-year career: becoming undisputed champion.

“When I came into the sport there was one goal that I forgot, to become the undisputed champion of the world. That is to fight all the champions. I almost got there but I got caught up with the success. But this time the success will be the strategy flowing within me,” Donaire told this writer prior to his fight at the Alamodome.

The 4 featherweight titles are held by Gary Russell Jr. (WBC), Leo Santa Cruz (WBA), Lee Selby (IBF) and Oscar Valdez (WBO). Donaire had briefly held the WBA featherweight title in 2014, defeating Simpiwe Vetyeka by technical decision before losing it in his first defense against Nicholas Walters.– Rappler.com