Senate commends 'The Filipino Flash' Donaire

The Senate on Wednesday adopted a resolution commending Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire Jr. for winning the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight crown against Wladimir Sidorenko of Ukraine. Senate Resolution No. 303, filed by Sen. Pia Cayetano, said that Donaire brought honor to the country during his December 4, 12-round fight against Sidorenko in Anaheim, California. "Donaire's discipline, perseverance, dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship should be recognized to set a good example and serve as an inspiration for the Filipino people," it said. Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs), a Filipino-American from the Bay Area making his bantamweight debut, dominated Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KOs) from the start with his power shots that brought the Ukrainian down three times. "He showed exemplary boxing skills and talent during his fight which resulted in a technical knockout decision on the fourth round of the fight, giving Sidorenko his first knockout loss in his career," said the measure. Donaire's win earned him the right to challenge Fernando Montiel for the Mexican champion's World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight titles. The fight is scheduled on February 19. Donaire hasn't lost since his second professional fight in Vallejo in March 2001. He is also the No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer in the world in the current ratings by The Ring Magazine. He also holds the WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight title and was the former WBA Super Flyweight Interim World, International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Flyweight, and International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Flyweight champion. – JVP/KY, GMANews.TV