MANILA, Philippines – Nonito “The Filipino Flash” is back in the Philippines after winning the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim bantamweight title against Wladimir Sidorenko earlier this month.
Donaire arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 3 a.m. along with his wife, Rachelle.
The happy couple, who flew in from San Francisco, said they plan to celebrate for a while before Donaire gears up for his next fight.
This early, Donaire said he is focused on defeating his next opponent, Fernando Montiel, in their February 19, 2011 matchup in Las Vegas. The boxer said the Montiel fight is important because the latter holds the WBC and WBO World Bantamweight Championship belts.
Donaire said he will stay in the Philipines for at least a week before returning to the US. He added that he will train even on Christmas Day to ensure that he is in good shape for the Montiel fight.
Meanwhile, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, coach Freddie Roach and WBO Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez also arrived in the country Tuesday for the birthday party of People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao this Friday.
Arum and Roach plan to stay in the country for a couple of days before returning to the US to discuss Pacquiao’s next fight.
