GMANews.TV -
Fresh from his victory over Panama's Rafael Concepcion last Sunday, Filipino boxing champ Nonito Donaire Jr. returned to a simple welcome at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Tuesday.
Donaire arrived at the NAIA about 3:50 a.m. on a Philippine Airlines Flight PR-107 to cheers from fellow Filipinos, according to a report by dzBB radio’s Denevin Macaranas.
Unlike Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao’s returns from his victories, Donaire’s welcome was a quiet one: there were no banners, streamers or politicians on hand to welcome him at the airport.
Donaire, who was with his wife Rachel, wore a jacket, short pants and T-shirt, and held his World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight belt.
During Sunday's fight, Donaire weathered the pressuring style of Concepcion to score a unanimous decision victory over the Panamanian fighter.
With the win, Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) became a two-division champion, having entered the fight as the IBF flyweight champion.
On the other hand, Bernabe Concepcion, who also fought in Las Vegas, was disqualified in his title attempt against WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano, when he hit the latter with punches after the bell.
“Kaunti lang [ang hirap ko], malaki siya sa akin (I had a little trouble because Concepcion was bigger than me)," Donaire said in an interview on dzBB radio, when asked if he found the fight hard.
Donaire said he thought he could wrap up the bout with a knockout in the early rounds but "I didn’t know he was going to be that tough."
He thanked Filipinos who watched the bout and gave him their support. "Kayo ang motivation, kayo ang drive na lumaban ako kahit bali-bali ang buto ko, kahit may injury ako (You are my motivation, my drive, even if I had a broken hand)," he said.
Donaire said he expects his next bout to come in December, depending on whether his hand would heal.
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