IBF/IBO champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire says he wants to come home to the Philippines for Christmas to thank the people who helped him and the Filipinos who have continued to support him in his boxing career.
In a lengthy overseas telephone conversation with young boxing writer and TV analyst Dennis Principe who invited us to be join the conversation with Donaire on his "Sports Chat" show on dzSR Sports Radio, Donaire said "it's been a long time and it would be a wonderful idea since Christmas in the Philippines is far more enjoyable than here in the US."
Donaire said he would hopefully come to Manila a few days after a charity fund-raiser on December 11. He said "I want to meet everyone out there and greet the people that really helped me and just shake hands with them again and meet them again and thank them for their help."
Referring to the famed ALA Gym and boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, the world champion said "they got me in the best shape and helped me out a lot. The Aldeguer family, the are just excellent. They are the nicest people. They took care of us, they gave us everything ? whatever sparring I needed. I?d like to thank all the fighters in the ALA Gym that I sparred with, the trainers there. Without them I would have had a lot more difficult time fighting that fight (against Luis Maldonado).
Donaire revealed "although I didn?t have my legs as much as I wanted to I was in shape enough. My upper body was cooperating with me. My power was there, my intelligence was there, I wasn?t breathing hard but my legs were affected by all the traveling that I did and eating so little nearly the entire camp."
Donaire who hurt his hand in his classic win over the resilient Maldonado expects to take a few months off to make sure his hands which are swollen would heal properly before his next fight which should be sometime in July.
However, it seems Donaire is having some problems with his promoter Gary Shaw which need to be resolved first before they talk about another possible title defense.
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