Now he's got the world's attention: Donaire demolishes Montiel in 2

It was supposed to be a battle of equals, Mandalorian Warrior vs Jedi Knight, two of the best bantamweights in the prime of their careers. Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire however made Mexican legend and WBO/WBC bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel look like a patsy Battle Droid , cutting him down with the precision of a lightsaber via devastating left hook en route to a 2nd round TKO.

(images below courtesy of Yahoo Sports and Associated Press)

The beginning of the end. Donaire lands a stiff left hook to the jaw of Montiel...

...and follows it up with a right as Montiel falls to the canvass.

Cochulito falls flat on his back, legs twitching....

Montiel is dazed and valiantly tries to get up...

Incredibly, Montiel beat the count by sheer willpower. Referee Russell Mora allowed him to fight on, but Donaire landed two more powerful shots to the face of Cochulito, who offered no resistance, forcing the ref to mercifully stop fight at 2:25.

True sportsman that he is, Nonito checks on Montiel before the ref declares him the winner

Most experts predicted that the fight would not go beyond 5 rounds and could go either way, but during the post fight interview, Nonito said he knew he was going to knock out Montiel in the 2nd round, visualizing the number 2 during the course of his training.

Expect Donaire's pound for pound ranking to move up from his current number 5 position, to as high as number 2 behind fellow Pinoy Manny Pacquiao.

What's next for the Filipino Flash? While it was Donaire's plan to initially become the undisputed bantamweight by winning the 4 "alphabet" belts, Bob Arum said he is looking at the possibility of a more exciting match up with undefeated Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez at 126 lbs.

Until that happens, let us all bask in the glory of Nonito's emphatic victory.

Congratulations and Mabuhay ka Nonito Donaire!

May the Force be with the Filipino Flash!

He may not be as popular (yet) as Manny Pacquiao globally, but Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire will have his biggest shot at fame when he faces Mexican legend and WBC/WBO Bantamweight champion Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel later at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas.

Since upsetting then undefeated Vic Darchinyan via crushing  KO in 2007, Donaire has racked up seven straight dominating wins, and has been ranked number 5 in Ring Magazine's best pound-for-pound boxers. Intelligent, articulate in English, Tagalog and Bisaya, highly skilled and entertaining inside the ring, with a bombshell wife to boot, what has prevented Donaire from achieving Pacquiao-esque status was the lack of quality fighters in his weight class (then flyweight).

Donaire's decision to move up in weight now gives him more chances to book big money fights. And his match with Montiel is his ticket to boxing superstardom. Montiel is by far the most dangerous opponent Donaire will face. Although the Filipino Flash has the height and reach advantage, he can never be complacent and underestimate the power of Montiel.

Let us pray for a big win by Nonito!