MANILA, Philippines - Kung may tamang panahon para muli siyang ma-ging isang world boxing champion, ito na ang pagkakataon ni dating world four division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr.
Sa kanilang official weigh-in kahapon ay tumimbang sina Donaire at Mexican fighter Cesar Juarez ng magkaparehong bigat na 122 pounds para sa kanilang championship fight ngayon sa Coliseo Roberto Cle-mente sa San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Ipinakita ng 32-anyos na si Donaire ang kanyang maigting na hangaring muling makahawak ng world boxing crown.
“I’m grateful for everything. Gratification for me has been the key and aiming to go higher from where we’re at,” sabi ni Donaire. “I’m trying to be a better fighter now than I ever was and taking it day by day. I’m not taking for granted this opportunity and situation that I’m in.”
Pag-aagawan nina Donaire (35-3-0, 23 KO’s) at Juarez (17-3-0, 13 KOs) ang bakanteng World Boxing Organization super bantamweight crown na tinanggal kay two-time Olympic Games golds medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux (16-0-0, 10 KOs) matapos hindi luma-ban sa loob ng 11 buwan.
Naisuko ni Donaire ang kanyang dating bitbit na World Boxing Association featherweight belt kay Jamaican Nicholas Walters via sixth-round knockout noong Oktubre ng nakaraang taon.
Dalawang sunod na panalo ang itinala ni Donaire sa kagustuhan niyang makabangon uli. (RC)