WBC and WBO bantamweight king Nonito Donaire, one of the hottest properties in the sport, has healed the long-term family rift that caused him to split from his father-trainer, Nonito Snr, two years ago.
Their personal story has been played out in the front and back pages of the Filipino media ? and detailed in this magazine ? but the soap opera is over.
The fighter, who won his latest two ?world? titles with a crushing second-round knockout of Mexican Fernando Montiel last month, had wanted his family to enjoy his success and bridges have also been built with his mother and boxing brother, Glenn. His wife, Rachel, reached out to her husband?s family for them to reconcile. Tears were shed and differences were patched up.
?It?s been great,? said the fighter. ?We?re working really well together and we have respect again for each other. It?s been tough and while we were at odds there was always a feeling of not being complete. Rachel called my dad and my brother and thanks goes to my dad for accepting the meeting. It was emotional. My dad cried and I hugged my dad. We have pretty much let go of everything that happened in the past. It?s what I want and what everyone wants. It?s a new beginning.?
Donaire is also going to help his brother?s boxing comeback as a sign of goodwill. ?One of the things I can do is give him a fight on my card on May 28,? said Nonito Jnr.
Donaire ? a contractual free agent ? could face WBA champion Anselmo Moreno, but he has not signed anything yet. However, with his goals to win more titles and unify belts, Moreno fits his criteria.
The Donaire family feud has gripped the Philippines, with many taking his father?s side.
?We tried to block it out,? said Donaire of the media glare. ?But when someone talks about your family, your family gets hurt when that happens.?
There have not been any talks yet about whether Donaire Snr will rejoin the fight team ? with new trainer Robert Garcia, sprint coach Remi Korchemny and sports scientist Victor Conte ? in a professional capacity.
But if the champion could do so well with the turmoil raging in his life, although Rachel protected him from some of the more venomous media attacks until after the Montiel fight, Donaire?s performances could improve further still. ?I think so,? he said. ?The feeling is… it?s a big weight off my shoulders. It?s a real relief.”
