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Philippines, 11 Apr 2026 |
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DONAIRE MAKES WEIGHT EASILY, PROMISES TO PUT ON A SHOW By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Fri, 22 Apr 2016  Any concerns about Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire not making the 122 pound limit were quickly dispelled when the official weigh-in for the "Time Has Come" blockbuster fight card at the Cebu Sports Center on Saturday got underway at the plush Ayala Center on Friday. There appeared to be some concern by Donaire's wife Rachel about the calibration of the scale but Nonito's father/trainer and the GAB Cebu's hardworking deputy to the regularly absent Celso Miranda, Rolando Mendoza, quickly had the scales properly calibrated and there were no problems as Nonito easily made the weight at 121 3/4 pounds while challenger and WBO No. 4 ranked former Hungarian 2004 Olympian Zsolt Bedak came in at 121 1/2 pounds. Both fighters looked fit and ready with Donaire promising to put on a show f or his adoring hometown fans and to give them a fight they will long remember while the soft-spoken, "Mr. Left Hook" Bedak said he expects the fight to go all the way and to score a decision. Nonito said he is truly motivated for this fight because the whole country is behind him, especially after his lopsided 12 round decision to win the WBO title against No.1 ranked Cesar Juarez in a fight in which he dropped the Mexican twice in round four that gave him a handy cushion when Juarez came back in a brutal second half where he went all out to win in an inexplicable turnaround which Donaire fended off with his own timely hits in the championship rounds. He told The Standard "It's been an amazing journey. I've been through a lot of ups and downs but I never lose faith and it leads me where I want to be. In an emotional moment, a contrite Donaire with tears welling in his eyes told the media and scores of fans he was dedicating this fight to his father/trainer "Dodong" Donaire with whom he had a misunderstanding before the birth of Jarel, the first son of Nonito and his wife Rachel which triggered a welcome reconciliation. Donaire told us, "I dedicate this fight to my father who has always been there for me. I thought I've never given him much respect that is why I will give him this moment." With the announced retirement of eight division champion Manny Pacquiao, Nonito has assumed the role of flag bearer of Philippine boxing surrounded by a group of promising young fighters from the famed ALA Gym who are on the thresh-hold of world championship recognition.  Donaire steps on the scales during the official weighin Friday afternoon at the Activity Center of the Ayala Center Mall in Cebu.  Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (L) and Chris Avalos pose Friday afternoon at the Activity Center of the Ayala Center Mall in Cebu. One of them is unbeaten Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo who faces the sometimes cocky American Chris Avalos who claims Mark lacks the experience to get the better of him and it was a contest between a man and a boy, little realizing that the 20 year old Magsayo is a punisher in the ring and perfectly capable of handling whatever Avalos comes up with. Both Magsayo and Avalos came in at identical weights of 125 pounds with tension perceptibly rising in their face to face confrontation before a phalanx of photographers from Cebu, neighboring provinces and Manila and scores of visitors from abroad. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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