2012 has been a “coming of age” year for WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire. A few days after coming back from a hectic Philippines trip where he and his wife Rachel Marcial-Donaire had their church wedding in November of 2011, an introspective Donaire expressed to me how grateful he is for everything that has happened in his career, his life, and that he is hungrier than ever to fulfill his destiny.
2011 was indeed a roller-coaster year for the 29-year-old slugger. He went from scoring the biggest win of his career, to being caught up in the middle of a contractual dispute after signing with Golden Boy Promotions only to come back to Top Rank, made up with his family then had another falling out of sorts, on top of tying the knot at the altar. “It was all meant to happen,” Donaire said. Advertisement
“I’m grateful for everything that happened. People have come and gone, but now I’m surrounded by those who truly care about me for who I am, and appreciate me for who I am; my wife, my friends, the people that support me, I’m blessed to have them all. I’ve learned a lot, and I just want to give back and inspire others, not just through boxing, but also with how I live my life.”
Truth is, it hasn’t been an easy road to success for Donaire. His personal life has been the subject of sports tabloids in the past, as people criticized and took shots at his character as they took sides rather than acting like the responsible journalists that they claim to be.
His boxing career was also stalled after sensational victories, not once, but twice, due to contractual disputes with former promoter Gary Shaw and current promoter Bob Arum and Top Rank.
But all’s well that ends well. Donaire received a handsome 3-year promotional extension from Top Rank and was picked up by HBO for his sensational KO win against Fernando Montiel and his promising upside.
I asked him if he was bothered that there are still a lot of Filipinos that have not embraced him, and continue to criticize him or compare him to their hero Manny Pacquiao. “It doesn’t bother me. I am who I am, and I’m proud to be Filipino. All I can do is try to be a positive influence, and be the best person that I can be,” Donaire replied to me and added, “Those criticisms have come from the Philippines, but here in the States, the Filipino-Americans and the boxing community have all been positive toward me. If they don’t like me, what can I do? That’s why I truly appreciate those that truly support me, and it just makes me want to train harder and do better for them.”
Donaire has rededicated himself in training for his fight this Saturday against IBF super bantamweight champion Jeffrey Mathebula, and admits he has let go of some of his old ways like occasional drinking and partying at the turn of the year.
“This is going to be the first fight that I really, truly worked hard. Usually I’d go 2 or 3 times a week, this time I’m there everyday. I’m taking this fight serious and see how I feel and hopefully I carry it on for the remainder of my career,” Donaire told this scribe.
By all accounts, Donaire has been reaping the rewards of his newfound fervor for the sport that has given him so much. “Nonito is doing great. This has been a really good training camp. He’s always in time and he’s putting in great work,” Donaire’s core and strength coach Michael Bazzel confirmed.
With the sport still reeling from drug testing and judging controversies, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. being incarcerated, Pacquiao being distracted with his politics and bible study and not showing the same fire in the ring that made him a fan-favorite, Donaire couldn’t have picked a better time to put it all together. Boxing needs new superstars to excite its legions of frustrated fans. Can Donaire rise up to the challenge and become one of boxing’s biggest stars despite his small physical stature? Saturday night can’t come soon enough.
– dSG – ([email protected])
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