Nonito Donaire has stopped Vic Darchinyan in the ninth round of their featherweight bout at the American Bank Center in Texas.

The 'Filipino Flash' was making his return to the ring following defeat in a WBO and WBA super bantamweight unification clash with Guillermo Rigondeaux seven months ago.

It was a close fight until a left hook rattled the Armenian, who struggled to his feet before being dropped once again by a couple of timely uppercuts.

Referee Laurence Cole had no choice but to step in and bring an end to proceedings, taking Donaire's professional record to 32-2.

It is the second time that the 30-year-old has beaten Darchinyan following their 2007 meeting in Connecticut, which ended in a fifth-round TKO.