Saturday, December 15, 2007 Grand welcome awaits Donaire
A GRAND welcome awaits International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. today.
Donaire trained in Cebu City for his recent successful defense of his boxing title.
“Definitely, we will extend to him the warmest and the best possible welcome we could when he arrives in Cebu today,” said Cebuano sports patron Jonathan Guardo. “He trained here. Indeed, Cebu is part and parcel of the success he attained in his latest bout.”
Cebu training
Donaire trained for at least a month at the ALA Gym. The training helped him lose 28 pounds for his match against Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado, which was set at 112 pounds.
Donaire’s eight-round mastery of Maldonado earned him praises. He scored a TKO win to keep his IBF and IBO flyweight titles at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in the US.
“I am very happy to be back in the Philippines again. I can't wait to visit Cebu and thank my friends and fans,” Donaire said in a report posted on Philboxing.com.
Guardo is organizing a motorcade for Donaire. A victory party has been scheduled later in the evening.
Endorsement
Donaire arrived in Manila yesterday from Los Angeles. He had a tight schedule that included guesting in talk shows and at a Philippine Basketball Association game.
The Filipino champion signed last month a contract to endorse Arthro Kontra Arthritis, a product distributed by Guardo’s company.
Guardo and his fledgling Uniherb Philippines, signed up Donaire for a six-fight endorsement of Arthro Kontra Arthritis.
“It was a gamble on our part. But Donaire is a reliable boxer. We believe in his capacity as a champion and he will be there to support him and I'm sure our investment would pay off handsomely,” said Guardo. (EKA/RCM)
