DONAIRE TRAINS HARD FOR THE COUNTRY
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 Nov 2007
Nonito Domaire, Jr. is now ready to face his Mexican opponent and preserve the title for the sake of the country. Although he resides in San Leandro, California with his family, he is originally from General Santos City. He moved to the United States at a youthful age and grew up in the Bay Area.
?I am a true-blooded Filipino and I will fight for my dear country,? declared Nonito. ?I?m very proud to be a Filipino.? He wore the Philippine flag on his trunks throughout his boxing career. He wears Red boxing trunks while his older brother Glenn wears Blue boxing trunks to represent the Philippine flag.
The title fight will be for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight titles. The much-awaited showdown will be held on December 1 at the Foxwoods Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States.
Donaire has won 18 bouts, 11 of them by KOs with only one loss. His only loss was dealt by American Rosendo Sanchez on March 10, 2001 at the Pacific Sports Center, Vallejo, California, by unanimous decision.
Donaire is nicknamed ?The Filipino Flash? because of his speed and reflexes. He won three national amateur tournaments, namely the National Silver Gloves in 1998, the National Junior Olympics in 1999, and the National USA Tournament in 2000. Donaire also won the International Junior Olympics in 1999. Donaire made it to the finals of the US Olympic Trials in 2000 and lost a controversial decision to former world champion and fellow Filipino-American Brian Viloria.
Maldonado hails from Mexicali, Baja California and has won 37 of his fights, 28 by KOs with only one loss. His only loss was dealt by Vic Darchinyan last June 3, 2006 at the Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, by TKO in the 8th round. Darchinyan then was the IBF and IBO flyweight champion before losing to Donaire.
Inside the ring, Nonito fights with elegance. He is charismatic, talented and extremely entertaining to watch. "Donaire has incredible hand speed, good power and can make his opponent miss by a half-inch while standing right in front of him," said Mike Houser of the Nevada Appeal. During practices, he is dedicated, determined and hungry.
"It was not that I grew up dirt poor, but it definitely was difficult growing up in my village in the Philippines," the amiable and soft-spoken Donaire said as quoted by Eastside Boxing. "My parents moved to America when I was seven. From the time they left and until we rejoined them in the United States, my two brothers, sister and I were raised by our grandparents.?
The Filipino people wishes Nonito all the best to once more give honor to the Philippines by defending his title successfully come December.
Top photo: The author with world champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. during his training at the ALA Gym, Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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