MAYOR LIM, CITY OF MANILA GIVE DONAIRE A WARM WELCOME
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Jul 2010
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has led the City of Manila in giving Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire another warm welcome following his convincing 8th round TKO victory over Mexico?s Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez in Puerto Rico last July 10.
Donaire retained his WBA super flyweight interim title in what is expected to be his last fight at 115 pounds since he has expressed his desire to move up in weight and take on the bigger named fighters like WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel among others.
Donaire who is ranked No. 4 in the Ring Magazine?s pound-for-pound roster was accompanied by his wife Rachael and Mayor lim in a city-wide motorcade which began from City Hall and passed through Escolta, Binondo, Del Pan, Parola, Divisoria, Sta. Cruz and back to city hall.
During a press conference Donaire expressed his gratitude to Mayo Lim and the City of Manila saying ?every time I am here you make me part of the family and the city.?
Donaire said Manilans have been giving him inspiration whenever he steps into the ring and emphasized ?You are part of my victory and you are a part of me when I?m in the ring.?
Donaire said he is looking to hopefully battle Montiel in a fight that Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us he was lining up sometime in November and which well known Mexican manager/promoter Fernando Beltran confirmed in a conversation with poiund-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz in a meeting in Tijuana last week.
Donaire who is best remembered for the ?Knockout of the Year? when he finished cocky IBF/IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan with one cracking punch in the 5th round on July 7, 2007 believes Montiel is avoiding him.
Donaire told the media ?Since I will be moving up to bantamweight, I want to fight the best boxer in that division and Montiel is the one since he is holding two title belts. But in Montiel?s mouth, my name has never been mentioned as his next opponent. At least on my part I had my share of saying I want that fight to happen but for them it appears they want to stay away from me and don?t wish to fight me.?
Mayor Lim was positive about Donaire?s future and ventured the opinion that he would reach the same heights as current pound for pound king Manny Pacquia.
When asked whether he would follow Pacquiao?s footstep and enter politics Donaire replied that his advocacy is to help children because when he was a young child his friends always made fun of him. He said ?I wish that kids realize that even if they are small they can overcome and become world champions like me.?
Noting that upto now there are those who don?t believe that he is a world champion, Donaire said " I think God gave me this position to inspire children as much as other people gave me inspiration.?
Donaire also disclosed that he is willing to lend his facilities in the United States to members of the Philippine amateur boxing team competing in international tournaments pointing out that his nutritionist and chiropractor are available. He said ? I want them to join the camp so that they would have more confidence to win internationally.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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