ON THE PLANE BACK HOME WITH DONAIRE
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Dec 2012
ON BOARD PR 105 (PNA via PCSO) ? They call him the ?Filipino Flash.?
He?s a three-division world champion in flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight with an interim title at super flyweight.
Filipino-American Nonito Donaire Jr. is the only champion boxer to fight four times this year, winning them all, the last was a sensational third round knockout over Mexican Jorge Arce to successfully retain his World Boxing Organization super-bantamweight and World Boxing Council Diamond super-bantamweight crowns.
These feats make him the strongest candidate for the ?Boxer of the Year? honor.
His third round KO of Arce last Saturday could also earn consideration for ?Knockout of the Year? honors from the boxing bible Ring Magazine which he earlier won in 2007 when he stopped Vic Darchinyan via TKO in the fifth round and in 2011 when he fashioned out a second round TKO over Fernando Montiel.
For sweeping all his four assignments in 2012, the 30-year-old Talibon, Bohol-born fighter, likewise, strengthened the claim the world boxing community as ?heir apparent? to compatriot Manny ?The Pacman?Pacquiao.
For the former amateur standout who owns a 68-8 win-loss record in the United States that saw earn his place in the Olympic trials for Uncle Sam?s team to the 2000 Olympic Games, not accomplishing is far from his agenda.
?Earning one of those is, definitely an honor, ? Donaire told People?s Journal while on board the Philippine Airlines Flight 105 on the way to Manila from San Francisco Monday. ?My vision actually is to win as many fights as I can to bring honor to my country.?
?Hindi ko iniisip yun. Actually, they can have those honors. Making my country and the Filipino people proud of me is the most important thing that can happen to my career,? Donaire, whose pro record 31-1 win-loss record with 20 KO?s, said.
?Is winning those distinctions more honorable than carrying the country?s flag in all the sports arenas and win? I don?t think so. Me, I will continue fighting and be proud that I am carrying my country and people on my shoulder,? he reasoned out.
?That?s why I am returning home still very exhausted after only three days following my victory over Arce. I would like to report to our people, say hello to them and and acknowledge the fact that through their prayers and support I was able to once again carry our flag with honor and pride,? Donaire said.
He said though that he will be staying in Manila for several days only because he wants to spend Christmas with wife Rachelle and family then rest before thinking of his next fight, probably in April or May depending on what promoter Bob Arum might decide.
Two fighters, he said are being considered as his next opponent ?Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux ? adding though that the former deserves more to be his next dancing partner inside the square ring.
Donaire, known also as a clinical and surgical fighter because of his scientific style of fighting, said that after two three more fights, he plans to move to the featherweight division to become a four-division champion although he said he is not chasing Pacquiao?s unprecedented eight world titles in as many weight divisions.
?Manny?s a class act that?s hard to duplicate. He?s the only man on earth to win eight world championships in as many divisions and he will stay as such until probably the end of this millennium.
Born November 16, 1982 in Talibon town in Bohol, Donaire is the second of four children of army man Nonito Sr. and Imelda, a teacher.
Donaire was brought to the U.S. by his parents at a young age of seven, along with brothers Glenn, who also boxes, Lucky and sister Rochelle. It was Nonito Sr. who introduced his two sons to boxing, a sport that allowed them to study under sports scholarship. As a pro, Nonito Jr. is unbeaten in 10 world title fights against former or current world champions, winning seven by stoppage. He owns an immaculate 5-0 (4 KOs) in fights held outside of the U.S.
His outstanding record as an amateur qualified him to join the U.S. Olympic team trials, winning his first three fights only to lose against fellow Fil-Am Brian Viloria, who went on to wear the U.S. uniform in the Sydney Games of 2000.
(Photo by WENDELL RUPERT ALINEA via PCSO)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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