Donaire: My wife is the commander

MANILA, Philippines — Four-division world champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. may be dominating the ring with his 32-2-0 slate, but his wife rules his life outside boxing.

Donaire, who is in Manila to train for his May 31 WBA and IBO super featherweight title match, said Monday that he follows the lead of his wife, Rachel, when it comes to finances.

"She is the commander," Donaire known as the "Filipino Flash" said in an interview Monday on ANC.

Rachel, who refused to reveal the purse for his Donaire's upcoming fight with South African title holder Simpiwe Vetyeka, explained in the same interview that her husband could only withdraw and spend 2 percent of his earnings in each fight.

She said the 2-percent ceiling is to curb the fighters's tendency to give away money and wipe out his savings with whim-driven purchases.

For Donaire, it is a welcome rule.

"This is what I'm proud of, I love wearing a skirt in this relationship because I can keep my money for the rest of my life. That's pretty much what it is," he said.

The 31-year-old Bohol native who grew up in Los Angeles also said he does not want his wife and their 8-month-old boy Jerel present during his tougher fights.

He said that he takes on a gentler, friendlier attitude outside the ring and having his family around would distract him.

"It's so weird 'cause I have two lives. It's the boxing life where I'm a little bit arrogant, I'm very confident. When I'm inside the ring, I don't know my family," Donaire said

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He ditches his focused, aggressive mask outside fights and cherishes spending time with his wife and son.

"I tell my coach, when it gets tough, don't bring my family. Because if you bring [them], that family-[man] part of me then I lose the persona of being a warrior," he added.

Donaire's recent visit is the first time since his upset to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in April 2013 in New York City.

He will begin training under his father Nonito Sr. following their reconciliation after years of family quarrel.

Donaire said that after his son was born, he "has never been this close" to his father.