By Jose Rodel Clapano and Sandy Araneta (The Philippine Star) Updated December 18, 2010
MANILA, Philippines - The Taguig City government led by Mayor Lani Cayetano honored yesterday boxing champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr.
Cayetano and the members of the City Council, heads of different city hall departments, city hall employees, newly elected barangay captains and kagawad and students from public and private schools at the Taguig City hall welcomed Donaire, 28, for the honor and glory he has brought the Philippines.
She conferred the honorary citizenship of Taguig to Donaire.
“Nonito, the people of Taguig admire your hard work, passion and dedication to your sport. But most of all, we praise you for being a proud Filipino in and out of the ring, for defending and fighting for the flag with every punch. That is why it is the honor of the city to call you one of our own. Thank you for inspiring us, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire. Isa ka nang Taguigeño!” Cayetano said.
Donaire’s motorcade kicked off in front of Taguig City hall along Gen. A. Luna street and passed through Manuel L. Quezon Avenue and stop at the Cayetano Sports Complex in Bagumbayan. Cheerful elementary and high school students from public and private schools in Taguig greeted Donaire as the motorcade passed the streets going to Bagumbayan.
“Nonito is our pride and champion. He gives us hope especially to our youth that there is nothing impossible if we keep on dreaming and believing,” Cayetano said.
Donaire recently competed in the 118-pound bantamweight division wherein he won a one-sided technical knockout victory in the fourth round over Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko to win the vacant WBA bantamweight interim title.
Donaire, who has a record of 25 wins, one loss and no draws (17 wins by KO/TKO), also holds the WBC Continental Americas bantamweight title. He is the former WBA superflyweight interim world champion, IBF world flyweight champion and IBO world flyweight champion and is considered as an elite fighter by most boxing scribes and aficionados.
The Ring Magazine, dubbed the “bible” of boxing, currently ranks Donaire as the number five best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.
Donaire thanks Manila mayor
Moreover, Donaire, thanked Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and the people of Manila for inspiring and motivating him to win every fight.
“I thank Mayor Lim and the people of Manila. I thank them for their support and prayers. They have always been a big part of my victory,” said Donaire during a courtesy call to Lim at the Manila city hall.
For his part, Lim lauded Donaire for his “spectacular” showing when he practically “toyed” with Sidorenko. He expressed confidence Donaire will handily beat his next opponent, Fernando Montiel, the reigning WBC and WBO bantamweight title holder.
The Manila mayor readily acceded to the request of Donaire and Rachel to be among their wedding sponsors next year. He wished the couple the best and that they be blessed with all the children they would want to have.
After a brief press conference at the Manila city hall, Donaire and Rachel boarded a pick-up while Lim, city security force chief Maj. Nicolas Amparo and his chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman, were aboard another vehicle that went around some of the city streets, mostly in the Tondo area.
Donaire and Lim were warmly greeted by the residents who patiently lined up the streets and threw confetti as the motorcade passed by.
Meanwhile, Lim said he opted the motorcade to pass through the city’s depressed areas to give the poor residents the opportunity to see Donaire in person.
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