IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire is elated over the two awards from Ring Magazine which is regarded as the ?Bible? of boxing.
Donaire?s sensational fifth round knockout over cocky, previously undefeated Vic Darchinyan last July 7 was chosen as the ?Knockout of the Year? and also the ?Upset of the Year.?
In a telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Donaire said ?it?s a great honor to be part of it, knowing that I am a small guy? at the flyweight limit of 112 pounds and Ring is such a prestigious boxing magazine.
He said ?you hardly see anybody at this weight-class produce the knockout of the year? saying he expected the bigger guys to win the honors.
Donaire said the awards would prove an inspiration in his ring career because ?I am constantly reaching for a higher level, gaining unification or winning another championship in a different weight class. I am doing everything I can in achieving as much as I can in the year that I?m fighting.?
Since he arrived in Manila as guest of Solar Sports, Donaire and his girlfriend Rachael Marcial have had a hectic schedule which hardly left them time to train since she too is a taekwondo champion and will compete in the Philippine national championships in February with the hope of making the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
However, Donaire said he will begin running in the morning on Christmas eve and start training for his next fight which promoter Gary Shaw revealed could be sometime in April once Donaire?s injured hands heal completely.
Donaire retained his title with a smashing eighth round TKO over tough Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado last December 2, Manila Time.
Ring?s choice for ?Fight of the Year? was Israel Vasquez?s sixth round KO over Rafael Marquez with round three of the title fight named ?Round of the Year.?
Paul Malignaggi was cited for ?Comeback of the Year? the Floyd Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya ?The World Awaits? showdown the ?Event of the Year? and the undefeated world welterweight champion Mayweather the ?Fighter of the Year.? It was the second time Ring named Mayweather ?Fighter of the Year? having won the same award in 1998.
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