TWO Filipino boxing icons are set to defend their prestigious world boxing titles for flag and country. Nonito ?The Flash? Donaire Jr. will stake out his World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight titles tomorrow, Sunday (October 23, Manila time) against his worthy challenger Omar Narvaez, the reigning bantamweight/super flyweight champion from Argentina. The 12 round or less razzle-dazzle will be staged at the Madison Square Garden?s MaMu Theater in New York. The Argentinean southpaw is 38-years-old and stands at 5?7?, sporting proudly a career record of 35-0-2, accentuated with 19 KOs. Donaire, rated one of the five best pound for pound boxer in the world today is 28 years old and 10 years younger than his opponent. He is 5?7? and owns an impressive 26-1 win-loss scorecard, dotted with 18 KOs.
Donaire said his title fight against Narvaez will be his first and last in the bantamweight division. He wants to move up to the junior flyweight class to substantiate his growth and development as a ringster and that it will definitely be more lucrative and challenging for him. The Filipino Flash captured the WBO/WBC bantamweight titles from three-division titlist Fernando Montiel of Mexico via a sensational second round knockout on February 19, 2011, before a mighty throng of multi-racial of spectators at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. His triumph against Montiel was very swift and sweet ? just after two minutes and 27 seconds in the second round. A devastating lightning left hook, which landed squarely on the left temple of the Mexicano did the damage which sent him crashing on the canvass for the good night kiss.
Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.
I was fortunate to meet Nonito and his charming wife Rachelle through former world champ Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, a mainstay in his training team, early part of February 2009. I also met Dodie?s brothers, Gerry and Jonathan. They were in the city for a rigid training regimen in preparation for their fights; Nonito against Raul Martinez from San Antonio, Texas. Of course, Nonito won the battle with plenty to spare. Our kababayans who witnessed the historic encounter at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City like the millions more all over the country and the world rejoiced and celebrated Nonito?s victory. And I was no exception.
For memory?s sake, Nonito and the Pe?alosa brothers are adopted sons of the Baguio Elderly Assembly. The adoption rites were held on Valentine?s Day in 2009 in front of the NCCB Arch. Daniel H. Burnham Monument at Burnham Park. The simple ceremony, which yours truly coordinated, was well attended by officers of the BEA executive board led by BARP president-CEO Prof. Federico Balanag, OSCA head Engr. Leopoldo Esca?o, PGREA and FBASECA key officers. The NIIT Highland Cultural Troupe added luster to the occasion with Igorot dances. Significantly, the showdown between Donaire and Narvaez will be very interesting. Let?s watch the big fight on the TV lanes.
The classic third time rumble between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico will take place at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 12 (Nov. 13, Manila time). Pacquiao will be defending his WBO welterweight crown against the Mexican dynamite, on a 144-pound catch-weight class. Marquez the challenger parroted all along that he was robbed of the championship crown during their second encounter on March 15, 2008 where Pacman won by split decision.
Rep. Pacquiao, who was recently promoted to the rank of Lt. Col. in the Reserved Army-AFP, and his training team led by famed coach Freddie Roach were up here in our beautiful city for at least three weeks for his initial training grind. They left the city for Los Angeles last Oct. 8 for the final phase of sir Manny?s preparation against the Mexican who wants to prove he is ?it.? Personally, I have the gut feeling that the duel between the titans will end in a KO within the 10 rounds sked with the Pinoy on the victory stand. If and when it goes the full 12-round stretch, our man of the hour will still win by unanimous decision.
Recently, Roach said, ?There will never be another Manny Pacquiao in our lifetime. He set the bar so high as an eight time world champion?we will never see that again.? Pacquiao is also an adopted son of the BEA. Tomorrow, Sunday, the regular fourth Sunday mass at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7, Asin Rd. will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. German Ledesma, NCCB spiritual adviser. We will include in our intentions the success of Nonito and Manny in the respective fights for more glory and fame for our country and all Filipinos over the world!
