After being given “Fighter of the Year” honors in 2012 by nearly every credible member of the boxing media, it seemed that four division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. had cemented his position as one of the primary ambassadors of boxing and was quickly becoming a mainstream commodity in sports entertainment.
But on April 13th, 2013, the unthinkable happened at the world renowned Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
The proud Filipino favorite was defeated for the first time in twelve years by two time Olympic gold medal winner and WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux.
And within the boxing community, most fight fans and scribes alike continuously adopt the age old adage that “a fighter is only a good as his last fight”.
The Queen of the Donaire household, Rachel Marcial Donaire, describes her role in helping the pound for pound fighter deal with his first loss in over a decade.
“It was actually really easy for the most part to put that loss behind us, because we were expecting the birth of our first child” claims the 31 year old former martial arts combatant.
“But initially, Nonito went back and forth with everything that came after the loss to Rigondeaux. He was concerned that a lot of people were calling him a bum and writing him off of their pound for pound lists.”
“He actually asked me if I was disappointed in him. I responded honestly; how could I be disappointed in you? If there are people who want to discount everything you’ve accomplished in the sport after just one loss, then who cares?”
“Look, it’s just one fight. The people who are writing you off now are the same ones who were singing your praises after you knocked out Fernando Montiel. Does it really matter that you knocked out Montiel at this point in your career?”
“No. It will be the same thing with the Rigondeaux fight as well. Just give it time. This is your first loss in twelve years. It happens.”
With the continuing support of promotional giant Top Rank, Inc. and the most recognizable platform in the sport, HBO, the highly publicized loss became a lot more manageable for the Donaire family.
“Having a great support group behind us really helped,” admits Rachel Donaire. “Nonito was really worried that he wasn’t going to receive the same kind of support from Top Rank, or that HBO wasn’t going to be interested in showing his fights any longer after losing to Rigondeaux. But both HBO and Top Rank have been nothing but supportive.”
“They understood the reality of the situation. It was one loss in twelve years. It was a bad day at the office…nothing more, nothing less. It happens in boxing. Nonito has only lost once in his last thirty fights…that’s not a bad ratio.” “It also meant a lot to him that his team for the Darchinyan fight is the same team that prepared him for every bout that he had in 2012. No one walked or turned their back on him.”
They still believe in Nonito and want to work with him. He’s very grateful for that and it really motivates him. It pushes him to be stronger and more focused for this fight.”
Although nutritionist Victor Conte, strength and conditioning expert Mike Bazzel, assistant trainer Brian Schwartz, track and sprint coach Remi Korchemny, chiropractor Cameron Fort, and head trainer Robert Garcia have indeed returned to help “The Filipino Flash” prepare for his upcoming bout against longtime nemesis Vic Darchinyan, his formerly estranged father, Nonito Donaire Sr., has also been added to the already impressive supporting cast. The gentleman responsible for introducing the sport of pugilism and teaching Nonito the fundamentals of boxing was back in the gym, working the mitts with his son at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Oxnard, California, throughout the entire training camp.
The long overdue reunion was made possible by the intervention of Rachel Donaire.
“When I was hospitalized after helping a drowning child, Nonito’s father heard about the incident through the media and sent me a text, asking if his unborn grandson was going to be okay,” professes the devoted Mrs. Donaire. “He also sent me a text, congratulating us when Jarel was born on July 16th.”
“Prior to that, Nonito’s dad hadn’t contacted me in years. So that played a very big part in their eventual reconciliation. The fact that his dad was willing to reach out after all of these years really left a lasting impression on me.”
“After Jarel was born, Nonito started having bad dreams, and began to have these random sightings of his dad in Vegas. Without saying anything more about it, I knew that he was thinking about his father and really wanted him back in his life.”
“So one day, I called his father and invited him to Las Vegas to see his grandson and to spend time with Nonito. I didn’t tell my husband about it until the night before his dad flew into town.” After a very heartfelt and touching family reunion, things began to come into to focus for the pound for pound fighter.
“Things happen for a reason,” proclaimed Nonito Donaire Jr. “When we had our baby, I realized that my dad had always been there for me. So it really meant a lot to me that we put everything behind us. Now that my son, Jarel, is with me and my dad is here working with me again, everything is great.”
Head trainer Robert Garcia expounds on the impact Nonito Sr. has had on this training camp.
“When Nonito first became a world champion, his father was his only trainer and Nonito Sr. was doing all the work,” claims the two-time trainer of the year. “Like all families, they had differences.”
“But now that he’s back, I think Nonito is better prepared mentally, he’s happier, and he really enjoyed this training camp. That’s what matters most to me. They are father and son, and I’m glad they are back together.”
“They’re very happy and I am extremely happy for them. We had a great camp and it will show on Saturday night.”
Although many boxing pundits have scrutinized the decision to face the Armenian born “Raging Bull” for a second time, Rachel believes that the November 9th return bout will prove to be one of great importance throughout the second phase of Nonito’s fight career.
“A lot of people have questioned the logic in facing Vic Darchinyan again, especially when you consider that the first fight happened so long ago,” admits Rachel Donaire.
“But when Nonito first defeated Darchinyan, he was a very hungry fighter who was a very slick boxer/puncher, and it jumpstarted his career. Somewhere along the way, Nonito became enamored with his power and forgot that he could box his opponents effectively.”
“That’s what this fight is all about. It’s a new beginning for us.”
“With Jarel in his life now, and his father training with him again, he’s getting back to what made him great in the first place. He’s remembering what got him here. But now he has more knowledge and even more people behind him.”
Can he replicate the success that he had before? Will this fight mark the beginning of another twelve year unbeaten streak? Can he do it again?
That’s what this fight will show.
