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Nonito Donaire Jr., known as the Filipino Flash, is raring to dethrone IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan in their scheduled 12-round bout at the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, July 7.

It’s not just the title motivating Donaire. Revenge is also in his agenda as Darchinyan broke older brother Glenn’s jaw due to an accidental headbutt en route to retaining the crown on a sixth round technical decision in Las Vegas last October.  

Donaire, 24, said although Darchinyan is unbeaten, he’s not fazed because sooner or later, the hulking Armenia native’s reign will end and he’ll be the challenger to do it.

Darchinyan, 31, has ruled the IBF’s 112-pound division since stopping Irene Pacheco in Hollywood in 2004. He has repulsed six challengers so far, including Filipino Diosdado Gabi. His record is 28-0, with 22 KOs, and there doesn’t seem to be anyone in the horizon with the power, ceiling and width to threaten the rugged southpaw now living in Australia.

But if experts are right, Donaire has an outside chance of upsetting Darchinyan. He was recently named the most underrated superflyweight by The Ring Magazine and Boxing 2007 writer William Detloff singled him out as a “tomorrow” or future star. Donaire is moving down to flyweight for the chance to avenge his brother’s defeat.

“Donaire is a baby at 24 but doesn’t fight like one,” said Detloff. “A quick-handed boxer, he outpointed 60-fight journeyman Oscar Andrade last October. Don’t be thrown by the fact that Donaire, who was born in the Philippines but lives and fights out of California, already has a loss on his record. We think it’s good when a young fighter drops an early one; it means he’s given the opportunity to learn something and hasn’t been coddled. Watch him.”

Donaire, born in Taliban, Bohol, but raised in Manny Pacquiao’s hometown General Santos City, turned pro in 2001 and boasts a 17-1 record, with 10 KOs. His only pro setback was a decision to Rosendo Sanchez in his second pro outing. Donaire has scored six first and two second round KOs.

Donaire was brought to the US with two brothers and a sister by his immigrant parents Nonito Sr. and Imelda in 1993. The family settled in San Leandro, California. 

Donaire joined amateur competitions with brother Glenn and both reached the final stage of the lightflyweight US Olympic trials in 2000. The brothers were eliminated by Brian Viloria who went on to represent the US in Sydney. Donaire lost a disputed 8-6 decision to Viloria in the Olympic boxoffs. 

After graduating from high school at San Lazaro in San Leandro, Donaire declined a boxing scholarship at Northern Michigan University to turn pro in 2001. He joined Jackie Kallen’s stable but after nine months, became a free agent.

Donaire won the WBO Asia Pacific flyweight crown via a second round stoppage of Kaichon Sor Vorapin of Thailand in Guam in 2002 and annexed the NABF superflyweight diadem on a split 10-round verdict over Freddie Roach protégé Kahren Harutyunyan in California four years later. Harutyunyan is of Armenian descent like Darchinyan.

Donaire has fought twice in Manila, halting Noel Alma and decisioning Mark Sales in 2002. A few weeks ago, he blasted Kevin Hudgins into submission at 2:29 of the first round in Reno to warm up for Darchinyan.

Donaire is managed by Cameron Dunkin who also takes care of lightweight Zahir Raheem.

Darchinyan, nicknamed the Raging Bull, has a swarming style and bullies his opponents in the ring because of his unusual bulk for a flyweight. In beating Donaire’s brother, he protested the outcome of a technical decision and insisted it should’ve been declared a knockout to preserve his streak of eight stoppages in a row. Darchinyan’s distasteful behavior angered Filipino fans. He has beaten three Filipinos – Glenn, Gabi and Silvio Glinogo – in his career.