Once again, we?re going through all our files and trying to recall all the outstanding achievements in sports in the year 2007, to make sure we can name a truly deserving sportsman of the year. For this writer, having a world championship or Olympic title or recognition at that level is the first criteria.
Last year, I fully expected that Manny Pacquiao would have fought for a world title this year, and finally cement his ascent to greatness.
Instead, he fought for monetary gain. Hopefully, that unfinished bit of business will finally be settled when he steps into the ring against Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight belt.
Instead, I would have to lean towards someone who literally came on strong in the second half of the year.
A literal unknown before July 7, Nonito Donaire not only captured the IBF and IBO world flyweight titles, but even laid the belts on the line before the year ended. Donaire, whose younger brother Glenn had been defeated by the undefeated champion, Armenian Australian Vic Darchinyan last year, jumped at the chance to match wits and mitts with the older fighter, who toted an immaculate 28-win, no-loss record.
?It was going to be his last fight at that weight, and nobody wanted to fight him,? Donaire told The STAR. ?So I said, heck, yeah, I?ll fight him.?
Donaire had two and a half months to get in perfect shape for the biggest battle of his life. He got added motivation courtesy of the champion himself.
?I wasn?t afraid of him at all,? Donaire asserts. ?Then, at the press conference, he was rude to me and my family, he disrespected my brother. I wanted to kill him. I swore I was going to destroy him.?
And he did, battering the champion senseless in five rounds, and leaping into the Filipino consciousness.
?Man, it?s a complete 180 degrees,? the General Santos City native said, shaking his head in disbelief. ?Like night and day. And I love it, people seeing me and saying ?Si Donaire, o.? It makes me so proud.?
After that, Nonito Jr. laid the belts on the line against Luis Maldonado, who had a relatively massive tally of 37 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. The referee had to mercifully step in and save Maldonado from further punishment, and Donaire literally consumed him, bloodying both his eyes and rendering him helpless in the eighth round. It was Donaire?s 12th knockout in 20 fights.
?I remember in my first fight, I knocked the guy out, and I was like ?Wow!?,? Donaire recalled. ?So I look for it any chance I get.?
Donaire loves showmen in the ring, like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Sugar Ray Robinson. But he never forgets his roots.
Growing up in a home where they spoke Visayan, Donaire and his brother wear the colors of the flag ? red and blue ? each time they fight.
?If you have a flat nose, love it; if you have thick lips, embrace it,? Donaire emphasizes. ?I love being a Filipino. I dream of becoming the first undisputed Filipino world champion. I want my countrymen to be proud of me. Inspiring young people is what sports is all about.?
Donaire is looking at fighting in a hefty card with other Filipino champions like Gerry Pe?alosa and Boom Boom Bautista, among others. He says now, the world cannot ignore the talent and toughness Filipino fighters have always possessed.
?I think they always knew we were there, but we?re more marketable now,? Donaire admits, nodding a tribute to Manny Pacquiao. ?And now, with the added confidence we have? Whoa, look out.?
Donaire is so determined to win the WBC and WBA belts, he doesn?t care where the fight is held.
?I told the WBC, I?ll even go into Japan and fight their champion there. i think they?re afraid. I?m not afraid of anybody. I want to be the best, and I?ll do what it takes.?
He?s got my vote for sportsman of the year.
