What is it with Filipino legends and refusing to call it a day?
Just weeks after Manny Pacquiao announced he’ll return to the ring at 45 for one last crack at a world title (full story here), another Filipino great has decided he’s not quite done either. Nonito Donaire, a four-division world champion and one of boxing’s most universally respected veterans, is stepping back through the ropes at age 42.
But these aren’t low-risk, low-profile returns.
These are straight into world title fights — no warm-up, no tune-up, no easing back in.
Donaire’s form isn’t what it used to be
Let’s not sugar-coat it. Donaire hasn’t won a fight since 2021.
His last bout was a clear unanimous decision loss to Alexandro Santiago in July 2023. Before that? He was knocked out in two rounds by Naoya Inoue in 2022 — a brutal, dominant performance from the Japanese star that made it clear Donaire was no longer operating at the elite level.
So what exactly is the motivation here?
Pacquiao’s doing the same thing — why?
It’s not just Donaire. Pacquiao’s comeback is following the same playbook:
No slow return. No exhibition circuit. Just a full-on WBC welterweight title fight, likely against a world-ranked contender. He’s been retired since 2021, and he’s 45 years old.
So here’s the big question:
Is this about legacy… or fear of being forgotten?
The fear of fading into silence
Let’s be honest — for fighters like Donaire and Pacquiao, life after boxing is quieter. Colder. Less urgent.
They’ve spent decades being adored, worshipped, chanted for. Being “the guy.”
Then suddenly, you’re not.
As we explored in our recent blog on boxers after retirement, this transition can be brutal.
The structure is gone. The spotlight fades. And even if your bank balance is healthy, your identity takes a hit.
So maybe these comebacks aren’t just about proving something to the world. Maybe they’re about proving something to themselves. That they’re still relevant. Still capable. Still remembered.
What is this — Rocky on repeat?
Seriously — is Rocky Balboa being streamed on loop in the Philippines?
Because first Manny, now Nonito, both deciding to roll back the years and lace them up again like it’s a Hollywood script. The problem is, boxing isn’t a movie.
You can’t just wake up one morning, hear the music in your head and decide, “Yeah, let’s have another go.”
You retired for a reason.
This isn’t fantasy camp — it’s the hurt business. And if you misjudge the moment, you don’t get a training montage. You get hurt.
But why a world title shot?
This is the bit that’s hard to ignore:
Why are these legends parachuting straight into title fights?
Neither man is ranked in the top 10 right now. Neither has won a meaningful bout in over a year. So why the red carpet?
The cynical view?
Sanctioning bodies want the headlines.
A fight with a name like Pacquiao or Donaire attached sells. It brings ratings, media, and hype. Never mind if the opponent is actually more deserving.
But the other side of that coin is this:
Maybe these legends don’t want to come back for anything less.
They don’t need the money.
They don’t need the small venues.
They want one last run on their terms — even if that means jumping into the deep end.
The physical, mental and legacy risk
The problem is, boxing doesn’t care about your story arc.
It’s a young fighter’s game. And if Donaire or Pacquiao find themselves a step slow, a beat behind, or a bit short on timing, it won’t be a graceful exit — it’ll be a harsh reminder that the clock doesn’t lie.
These comebacks risk more than just defeat.
They risk injury, embarrassment, and long-term damage to their legacy.
Because in boxing, fans don’t always remember the glory days — they remember how it ended.
But still… there’s something admirable about it
It takes guts to come back.
To risk failure in full view of the world.
To put your name and pride back on the line at an age when most are already long gone.
So while we question the logic, we can still respect the fire.
Because whether you’re in the Philippines, the UK, or anywhere else, there’s something timeless about a fighter who refuses to back down.
What’s your take?
Is the Nonito Donaire comeback inspiring or irresponsible?
And what about Pacquiao — do these late returns help or hurt their legacies?
Let us know in the comments, share this with a mate, and make sure to visit CMBoxing.co.uk for more real talk and deep dives on the stories that matter in the fight game.