THE boxer Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire is happy that his idol and fellow kababayan Manny "Pacman" Pacquaio was able to watch his recent fight in Las Vegas.
Donaire said on Saturday that he's very thankful that Manny was able to witness the event and he was one of his inspirations in winning the Donaire-Vargas bout.
"Nagpapasalamat talaga ako na andun yung sya as my inspiration (I am very thankful that he was there as my inspiration)," he said.
It was Nonito's wife Rachel who told him that Manny arrived in the venue.
"First time ata yun na andun sya sa laban. I felt like Superman na andun si Manny. I felt really grateful and blessed na andun yung idol ko, nanood sa laban ko at binigyang support yung event (It was his first time to watvch my fight. I felt like Superman that Manny was there. I felt really grateful and blessed that my idol was there watching my fight ang giving his support to the event)," Donaire said.
The boxer went on a stressful day last week when his initial opponent Gerson Guerrero failed an eye exam and was not allowed to do the fight.
The organizers, Top Rank Promotions, immediately looked for a replacement for the event to materialize and found Mexican boxer Manuel Vargas.
Donaire said that he, at some point, struggled on his strategy towards the new contender because he needed to change all his plans as Vargas is a different boxer.
"Yung katawan ko reding-redi na for Guerrero but I have to change it for Vargas so nahirapan talaga ako when it comes to game plan and improvising (My body was really ready for Guerrero but I had to change it for Vargas so I really had a difficult time when it came to game plan and improvising)," he said.
The boxer added that studying the moves of the opponent is a must-do for a boxer entering a fight because it will work as an advantage on their part.
"Alam na nila yung mga moves ko. Kung alam ko na yung moves nila, ma-trap ko sila o may game plan and I'm very confident na makuha ko yung laban (They know my moves and if I also know their moves, I can trap them on my game plan and I'm confident that I can win the game)," Donaire said.
Guesting in Manny's show
There are talks circulating that Donaire will guest in Manny's "Show Me The Manny" for a few episodes.
He said that he is happy and very excited to do comedy especially because he loves to make people smile.
"I love to make people laugh, gusto kong makita yung smile nila and maging happy sila (I want to see their smiles and make them happy)," the boxer said.
Donaire is also praying for the victory of his idol and friend Manny for his upcoming bout against Joshua Clottey on March 13.
"Always akong magbibigay ng support sa kanya. He will see me again in his next fight," he said.
On doing a movie just like Manny, Donaire said that if ever there will be a film on the way, it will definitely be something inspirational for the young ones.
During his younger days, Donaire recalled he was bullied by his friends and classmates.
"If ever I will be doing a movie, I want it to be an inspiration for the children that they can do everything through hard work and God," he said.
Valentine's Day
Donaire was also asked on how he and wife Rachel celebrated their Valentine's Day.
He said that he wanted to finish the fight early so that he will not get bruises on the face for the Valentine's Day.
Donaire added that they just toured Las Vegas and did whatever they wanted to do that day.
On the topic of having kids, the boxer said that he wants to focus first on boxing and if the time comes that he will be a father, he wants to shift his focus on it.
Nonito is bound to enter the ring again on May 8, 2010, although his opponent is still on the works.