Donaire will keep making country proud

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said he is confident that newly-crowned interim World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. would continue to carve his name in boxing. Lim, during Wednesday’s press conference at the Manila City Hall, also thanked Donaire for offering his fight for the late President Cory Aquino. The Manila Mayor and former Philippine Senator added that he was happy to learn that Donaire, through an announcement made by his manager Arsi Baltazar, would present the yellow boxing shorts he used during his match against Panama’s Rafael “El Torito" Concepcion last Sunday (Saturday night in Las Vegas) to the Aquino family on Friday. The presentation coincides with the commemoration of the 26th death anniversary of the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Lim, who served as National Bureau of Investigation director during the late President Aquino’s term, is a close associate of the Aquino family. Donaire, Baltazar said, only wore either white or red shorts in his previous fights but during his last match had his boxing shorts changed to yellow days prior to the bout. The shorts he used including his yellow robe bore the name of President Aquino. Lim praised Donaire, who then thanked the Manila Mayor for his continued support, for beating an opponent who is more than four lbs heavier than him. The Filipino Flash, despite injuring his left hand, defeated Concepcion via a unanimous decision in their scheduled 12-round bout at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Lim also awarded a P500,000 check to Donaire for being an outstanding, “adopted son" of Manila. Donaire then rode an open pick-up truck with his wife Rachel, Baltazar and Team Donaire members, brothers Dodie Boy and Jonathan Peñalosa. Lim was also in the motorcade but chose to ride in a separate vehicle joined only by Manila Sports Council director Nino Dela Cruz. “After all, he (Donaire) was the one who fought it out hard in the ring and brought glory to our country," said the Manila Mayor in his decision. The motorcade went around the city’s major thoroughfares, where Donaire was warmly welcomed by the residents, some even releasing yellow confetti as his convoy passed by. – GMANews.TV