Donaire offers help in RP?s quest for first Olympic gold
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Jul 2010
Frustrated Olympian and now two-time world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. still dreams of gifting his country of origin, the Philippines, its first Olympic gold medal.
Having turned pro, he is aware though that he can no longer do that by way of his talents atop the ring, but to realize the dream, he wants to help attain that by offering the facilities of the Undisputed Gym he helped built in San Carlos, California to the Philippine boxing team preparing for the coming Asian Games and for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
As an amateur fighting as a light-flyweight, Donaire nearly made it to the United States team to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games by advancing to the division finals of the Olympic trials where he lost to another Fil-Am, and fellow-two-time world title holder Brian Viloria.
?It (Undisputed Gym) is where I currently train,? the 27-year-old Donaire disclosed during yesterday?s press conference held at the GMA Broadcast Center.
?It has everything that a fighter needs whether you are an amateur or a professional. Best of all they have great staff out there from chiropractor, to nutritionists and trainers,? the Bohol-born Donaire said.
?It has always been my dream to win that Olympic gold. I did not win it for the U.S. Now, perhaps I can help win that elusive gold for the Philippines by offering the needed facilities,? he said.
Donaire recalled that following his loss to Viloria in the finals of the U.S. Olympic trials, He went back to the Philippines with his US-based father Nonito Sr. and brother Glenn in tow, and offered to then Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines leadership their services to fight for the Philippine team.
The ABAP top honchos back then turned down their offer because the team had already been formed. Before yesterday?s luncheon press conference, a motorcade around the metropolis was held in his honor by TV network GMA where the youthful boxer recently signed a showbiz deal.
Donaire said he is making the offer to ABAP after learning that the current national team members are set to embark on a training trip in San Francisco and Los Angeles next month.
Donaire (24-1, 16 KO?s) is coming off an 8th round TKO destruction of Mexican Hernan Marquez last July 10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Lofranco faces Refugio for WBA Asia title
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jan 2025Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Ambassador Nino Alcantara Embarks on a Promising International Tennis Journey
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 08 Jan 2025PSFI to continue grassroots activities
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jan 2025QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OPEN WORKOUT AT DOWNTOWN BOXING GYM IN DETROIT FEATURING MICHIGAN’S CLARESSA SHIELDS AND DANIELLE PERKINS
Wed, 08 Jan 2025Sherwin Tiu to defend title in Chess Pozorrubio rapid tiff
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 08 Jan 2025SPORTS RECORDS 7: GABRIEL "FLASH" ELORDE, THE LONGEST REIGN AS SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 08 Jan 2025Strictly Business: Lightweight Champion Denys Berinchyk to Defend Crown Against Keyshawn Davis February 14 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
Wed, 08 Jan 2025EURI CEDENO EYES THE TOP TEN
Wed, 08 Jan 2025FIGHTBOOK ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL LAUNCH IN EARLY 2025 AND OPENS PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS
Wed, 08 Jan 2025Correa-Min fight in Korea cancelled
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 08 Jan 2025Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez In position for mega-fights in 2025
Tue, 07 Jan 2025Comebacking Correa to fight in Korea
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 07 Jan 2025Damian Knyba vs. Andrzej Wawrzyk all-Polish heavyweight fight headlines on Feb. 1 at Prudential Center
Tue, 07 Jan 2025Run for Love on Feb. 9 at Azuela
By Kim Teves, Tue, 07 Jan 2025Lagumbay to face Masangkay for PBF super light title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 06 Jan 2025