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Philippines, 27 Apr 2024 |
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ALL APOLOGIES? PhilBoxing.com Thu, 03 Nov 2011  New York - Nonito Donaire Jr. was with family and friends at a post-fight celebration tended for him hours after his one sided win against Omar Narvaez. He was seated amongst them as he eats his post-fight meal at a small function room at the Affinia Hotel where he has resided for the last week leading to the fight. The food which was brought by friends of the champ from neighboring New Jersey consists of a whole lechon, lumpiang shanghai, pancit and steamed rice which Donaire shared with them on the same room where the weighin was held a day before his New York debut. Donaire was about to take a bite out of his lechon when he paused, shook his head and said, "I'm disappointed. I'm really disappointed about tonight." Donaire was a picture not of an athlete who just won a contest but that of a disheartened one. He bit his lechon but he still cannot stop talking. "I feel bad for the fans," he told everyone in the room as he chewed on the savory piece of roasted pork. "He's (Narvaez) just not willing to fight me. It is frustrating," added Donaire. Donaire seems to be animated than usual as he stood up from his chair to get a drink. "Any soda left?" he asked as he saw an empty bottle of regular Coke in the table. "I don't want diet Coke. My dieting is done," he said with a grin. As if he needed the extra caffeine to rouse him even more. A gentleman handed him a bottle of water from the other end of the table, "That will do, diet water," he said laughingly as he thanked the guy which happened to be his father in law. Nonito Donaire has been apologizing all night after the final bell has rung on his fight with Narvaez which was held across the street at the Theatre of MSG. He has apologized to the HBO crew care of Max Kellerman who interviewed him after the fight. He has apologized to press row when he appeared before them ringside. And most especially, he has been apologizing to the close to sellout of 4500 fans that trekked to the arena to watch him perform in the bright lights of New York. Donaire also blamed his counterpart Narvaez, who decided not to provide the other half of the action needed to make fireworks happen in the Garden that night. And even as his promoter Bob Arum took his ward's side and explanation for not looking "too good", Donaire knew that a bad taste has been left in the mouth of the fans in the arena and the viewers on television of his much anticipated return to action in the ring. Why is Donaire apologizing and giving explanations to almost everyone that he talked to last weekend? Well because this has been essentially his show. This is the Nonito Donaire show which was promoted by the Bob Arum Productions in the city where Broadway musicals and plays are made. Bob Arum recognizes the importance of him fighting here in front of the New York press and fans. He recognizes the huge Filipino population that can be tapped in this side of the nation. That is why Donaire was here a month before his fight last week to drum up interest for this fight. He was squeezed in to be a part of another major New York - Arum promotion of Cotto versus Margarito last September 20th. He was here one week before fight day last week. Most of it was devoted to promoting himself and this fight to the Tri State area. While Narvaez remained incognito until the last press conference on Thursday of fight week, Donaire was out every day with public appearances, photo ops and speaking engagements in the New York and New Jersey area. A role that Donaire took to task with enthusiasm and ardor. He sang, he danced and posed for pictures with almost everyone. He autographed everything from boxing gloves to a Philippine 10 peso bill which a creative female fan made. He joked, entertained and mimicked everyone from Robert De Niro to Victor Ortiz kissing Mayweather. And yes, he tried to put on a show on fight night too against an opponent determined not to be a highlight reel of his show. Yes, Donaire tried to sell himself to the gingerly New York audience but ended up apologizing for not meeting up their expectations of him. He heard their boos and their heckling. He heard their chant of "This is bull s_ _ _!" He knew that even if it does not directly pertain to him, he is in a way a part of this boring show. That is why he cannot stop feeling sorry that night. But he should not be harsh to himself. His performance albeit not spectacular, still was commanding. He has brought excitement to Filipinos residing here in the East Coast who caught a glimpse of him in the arena and the activities of fight week. He has brought excitement to Dr. Earl Famularcano, a Filipino physician who flew from Charleston, West Virginia with relatives just to watch the fight. An experience the Pacquiao hoodie wearing physician would love to see once again in the future. He has energized the Pinoy and boxing spirit of Oli Iglesias who together with 12 of his family and friends crossed the Hudson River from Jersey to watch him fight. He did not disappoint Oli and his group who instead of going straight to the Garden to watch the fights in the undercard, stopped by the Affinia hotel in hopes of having pictures taken with him. A request Donaire did not turn down. And this was when Donaire was on his way to the arena himself. He got away from his four bulky body guards who shelled him that night to accommodate them. A gesture Oli's old man will never forget. Brian Festejo of Central Jersey would have preferred a different result but he does not hold it against Donaire either. Like others, he attributed the blame on Narvaez who showed no willingness to fight. But more than the result itself, the fight presented an opportunity for him and his 75 year old dad Pablo to watch their first live fight together. It gave the Festejos the chance to bond together on a sport meant for father and son. And certainly Robert Cruz does need any of the champ's explanation. He drove 400 miles from Ontario, Canada to get here. He admitted that he was rather delighted to see Donaire display his skills for 12 full rounds instead of Donaire having a short night of work. Donaire's debut in New York energized the East Coast boxing scene. HBO, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the major New York magazines and tabloids and the Philippine media are all well represented that night. It inspired Philippine pride among Filipinos here in the Tri State. Seeing my kabayans in their Philippine colors as I walk from Penn Station on the way to the venue made me smile. The pride I saw in their faces when our anthem was sung by Tiffany Viray was unexplainable. I thought I saw and will only see this in Vegas this year. For one night, it was Pinoy night in the city that never sleeps. Yes the fight was not spectacular. It was boring indeed. Donaire admitted that he was too during the fight. Yes the fight did not live up to great expectations, but that is not exactly Donaire's fault isn't it? It takes two to tango in this Big Apple dance. Yes the fight did not get rave reviews in Broadway, but this is not a man show either. Most of the time, it is not about the fight but the experience that counts. And for Dr. Earl, Oli, Brian, Robert and me, Nonito Donaire need not apologized for that at all. You can email Rich Mazon at rrmaze24@aol.com for reactions and comments regarding this piece. Click here for a complete listing of columns by this author. Click here for a complete listing of this author's articles from different news sources. |
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