Victory parade to cap 'homecoming' of world champs Donaire, Viloria

MANILA, Philippines – The grand homecoming continues for US-based fighters Nonito “Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. and Brian “Hawaiian Punch" Viloria. On Tuesday, the world champions will be sharing their latest triumphs with their countrymen in a victory parade befitting returning conquering sports heroes like themselves. The parade will start at the Manila City Hall. To honor the balikbayans, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim will hand the symbolic Key to the City to make both champions adopted sons of Manila. After strutting their stuff in the US, the two fighters have made a memorable return to their homeland, delighting Filipinos with their display of world-class boxing skills during Sunday’s “The Flash & The Furious" fight cards, their very first fight on local soil. Donaire, who left his hometown Bohol along with his family to migrate to the US when he was 10, played up to expectations when he knocked out Mexican-American Raul Martinez in four to retain his IBF flyweight title. Viloria, who traces his roots to Ilocos Sur, pulled off an equally spectacular win, knocking out the so-called “Filipino executioner" Ulises Solis of Mexico in 11 to grab the latter’s IBF light flyweight title. Both Donaire and Viloria admitted to getting extra strength from the support of their kababayans, who saw them fight live for the first time. “Masaya ang pakiramdam. Nandito lahat sila, nagbibigay suporta. I feel so welcome here," said Donaire after the fight. -GMANews.TV