IN MY COLUMN ON TUESDAY, I wrote: “The World Boxing Association must move to immediately strike out from its official records what Panamanian brawler Rafael Concepcion had falsely preached about genuine courage from Las Vegas.”
There predictably was no reply from the WBA headquarters.
After Filipino Nonito Donaire beat Concepcion in their 12-round duel for the interim WBA super flyweight crown, I made a follow-up column on Thursday, part of which said:
“Actually, with Donaire’s worth and credential, his bout against Mexican Rafael Concepcion was initially perceived to be a budding mismatch.”
* * *
There was a serious mistake in that sentence.
I fouled out after identifying Concepcion, whom I had previously called a Panamanian, as Mexican.
As a result, my friend Anthony Andales, United States-based aeronautic engineer and international boxing correspondent, blew the whistle.
“You missed the point, sir. Rafael Concepcion is no Mexican. He is Panamanian.”
I’m very sorry about that.
Allow me to offer my apologies to Anthony and others whose sensibilities I have offended.
* * *
Of course, I did not intend to demean Mexican fighters.
I promise to make an offering to Our Dear Lady of Guadalupe.
I will also pray that more Mexican boxers go on to excel in their field.
Let’s hope for a new breed of Mexican ring heroes to emulate the great Julio Cesar Chavez.
Let’s pray for great Mexican boxing heroes to take over the line of warriors beaten and humbled by that invincible one-man Filipino armada by the name of Emmanuel Pacquiao.
* * *
Anyway, Donaire was last night slated to be feted and thanked by the family of former President Cory Aquino to whom the Filipino Flash dedicated his last fight.
The sincere gratitude should go a long way in helping assuage Donaire, who was defamed by Concepcion when the beaten Panamanian said Nonito had no warrior guts.
“So whatever happened to the Sweet Science?” asked veteran international referee Bruce McTavish. “Nonito showed the world that there’s also art and science in the sport of boxing.”
But didn’t premier promoter Bob Arum, who put up that Donaire mainer, say he was not truly impressed with Donaire?
“No, on the contrary, Mr. Arum was all praises for Nonito,” explained sports columnist Joaquin Henson.
He continued: “There was a clear misquotation because I was infront of Bob Arum when that interview took place. Uncle Bob, in fact, swore that Nonito is sure to be the next big thing in Philippine boxing.”
* * *
But they’re all missing the point, said lawyer-sportsman Rudy Salud, founding secretary general of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
What do you mean, sir?
“Nonito did great and we’re all proud of him. But it’s wrong, totally wrong to compare him to Manny Pacquiao.”
Please tell us why, sir.
“Simple, there will never be another Pacquiao in our lifetime. Period.
We agree, thank you very much, sir.
Before closing, allow me to forward to Nonito Donaire a final reminder.
From Anthony Andalaes: “Didn’t Nonito miss out in thanking or acknowledging someone truly close to him before he returned to Manila from his triumphant mission?”
Thank you again. God bless the Philippines!
