DONAIRE AND WIFE DONATE P350,000 TO Z ‘THE DREAM’ GORRES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 26 Feb 2010
In a truly commendable gesture, WBA Interim Super Flyweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and his wife Rachael donated a total of P350,000 (about $7,500) to Z “The Dream” Gorres who is currently recovering from a throat operation in Cebu to remove a growth that hampered his breathing and caused him to cough.
This followed brain surgery Gorres underwent at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas after he collapsed in his corner at the end of his rousing ten round decision over rugged Luis Melendez of Colombia last November at the Mandalay Bay House of Blues.
Donaire and his wife met with Gorres’ wife Datches at a Cebu restaurant on Thursday afternoon after the couple arrived in Cebu at around 3:00 p.m. Also attending the gathering of a few press people were trainer Jonathan Penalosa, Dodie Boy Penalosa Sr and his son Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr.
Before answering any questions from the media, Donaire who was far more comfortable speaking in his native Cebuano dialect, said his first task was to present the Gorres family with what he termed a small token from his purse in his 3rd round demolition of Manuel “Chango” Vargas in the “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13” fight card which was telecast in the Philippines and globally on TFC, The Filipino Channel.
Demonstrating his humility Donaire said the amount was “not much” but pointed out that while he doesn’t make millions “it comes from my heart and it’s the least I can do.”
At the same time Donaire called on others to join in helping those in need, especially Gorres and his family.
Pressed to reveal how much he was giving Gorres, Donaire said he had pledged P250,000 but stressed “that's not all” as his wife Rachael who stated that while she didn’t have much to offer she was personally gifting Datches and her family an additional P100,000.
Rachael said "I don't have much, but it's what I have to offer. I feel for her [Datches] and I can only imagine what she is going through."
Ms. Gorres expressed her gratitude to the Donaire Family for all the support and stated that “the love shown towards our family from the Donaire's is immeasurable.” In an emotional moment Datches embraced the Donaires even as tears welled in her eyes and those of Rachael.
Donaire made it clear his support “wouldn't end tonight” even as he revealed he was also gathering professionals from the states and seeking additional aid in any way possible for the Gorres Family.
Asked about his fight with Vargas, Donaire revealed that his Mexican opponent had actually tested positive for a prescription pain killer during his post fight evaluation. Donaire explained "That's why I was hitting him with good counter rights, and in the second round, his mouth was open but I know he wasn't tired and I know I dislocated his jaw. And then the odd thing was the delayed knock down in the third round. He was taking a lot of my punches, and its probably because he didn't feel it."
At the news conference the Penalosa brothers stated that they felt former two division world champion and younger brother Gerry beat former world champion Eric Morel in their WBO bantamweight title eliminator but accepted the split decision win of Morel as one of those things that happen in boxing.
Meantime, Donaire said he’d be willing to fight Morel in his debut as a bantamweight in a fight planned for “The Filipino Flash” on May 8 in Mexico.
Donaire and his wife will spend the weekend with relatives in Cebu before returning to Manila.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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