MANILA, Philippines – Fresh from a masterful third round knockout win over Manuel Vargas in Las Vegas last Sunday, World Boxing Association interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire arrived in the country Friday.
From the airport, Donaire went straight to GMA Network in Quezon City, along with wife Rachel and father-in-law Gerry Marcial for a press conference.
Like any other boxer who came from a fight, Donaire was asked, “Who’s next?”
“The demand for a rematch with Vic Darchinyan is very high but if he doesn’t want to fight me, I might as well move up in weight and face Fernando Montiel,” said Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs). “I could not wait for another year for Darchinyan.”
In July 2007, Donaire scored a fifth round technical knockout victory over Darchinyan to steal his International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight (112-lb) titles.
Since then, Darchinyan’s camp has been clamoring for a rematch with Donaire but both camps just could not agree on the terms.
“Sabi nga nila [Darchinyan’s camp] kailangang lumuhod muna ako para pumayag sila sa rematch. Eh tinalo ko nga siya noon e [They said that I have to beg first before they will agree to a rematch. But I have defeated him],” Donaire added. “I [would] rather face a champion [Montiel] who respects me and who I respect as well.”
Facing Montiel, the WBO bantamweight king, however, means that Donaire will fight in the 118-lb limit.
“It won’t be a problem,” the Filipino champion said.
Last Sunday in the same fight card in Las Vegas, Montiel defeated Filipino challenger Ciso Morales in the first round. Montiel also scored a split decision victory over another Filipino – Z Gorres – in 2007.
Gorres, meanwhile, returned to the country last Tuesday after falling into coma for three weeks in the United States. He suffered the injury after winning his non-title bout against Colombian pug Luis Melendez in Las Vegas last November. He is now undergoing therapy to rehabilitate his partially paralyzed body.
Donaire said he would give a portion of his earnings from last Sunday’s fight to Gorres, whom he considers a good friend despite the fact that Gorres scored a first-round KO win over Donaire’s brother Glenn in 2005.
“Noong una talagang galit na galit ako kay Gorres dahil tinalo niya ang kapatid ko. Sabi ko pa nga dati, balang araw gagantihan kita [At first, I was really angry with Gorres because he defeated my brother. I even said that one day I will get back at you],” he said. “But we have been good friends after that. That is why I will personally go to Cebu para kumustahin siya [to see how he is]. Hindi kasi kami nagkita sa States nung laban ko e [I didn’t see him in the States during my fight there].”
Late last year, Donaire also donated the P1 million cash incentive President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had given him to the victims of Ondoy.
As for his being a part of the GMA Talent Center, Donaire said he was slated to pinch hit for Manny Pacquiao in the sitcom “Show Me Da Money.”
“I’m very excited and I consider this a challenge,” Donaire said, referring to his first acting role on TV. “Nag-eenjoy naman talaga ako dito sa GMA7 [I’m really enjoying myself here on GMA7]. I’m having fun.”
Donaire joined the last season of Celebrity Duets where he showcased his singing talent. This time his acting talent in a comedic role will be tested. – Frederick Nasiad, Bandera
(For more Sports news, read Bandera)
