MANILA, Philippines - Matapos ang kanyang chief trainer na si Robert Garcia, si unified world super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. naman ang hinirang na Yahoo! Sports 2012 Fighter of the Year.
Sa kanyang kolum, sinabi ni Kevin Iole na kumpleto ang mga boxing skills ng 30-anyos na si Donaire na naging sandata nito para magtala ng apat na panalo noong nakaraang taon.
“He showed the complete package, using speed, power, accuracy, ring gene-ralship, defense and cou-rage to post decision wins over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula and stoppages over Toshiaki Nishioka and Jorge Arce,†wika ni Iole.
Hawak ngayon ng tubong Talibon, Bohol na si Donaire (31-1-0, 20 KOs) ang World Boxing Organization at International Boxing Federation super bantamweight titles.
Nauna nang tinanghal na 2012 Fighter of the Year si Donaire, tinalo sina Juan Manuel Marquez, Robert Guerrero, Andre Ward, Leo Santa Cruz, Carl Froch, Danny Garcia, Adrien Boner Brian Viloria, para sa Yahoo! Sports award, ng mga boxing websites na BoxingScene.com at ESPN.com.
Pinahalagahan din ni Iole ang boluntaryong pagsailalim ni Donaire sa mga urine at blood tests bago ang kanyang laban.
Siya ang unang boksingero na pumayag sumailalim sa isang 24/7 random drug testing.
“Significantly, Donaire did his job as a clean athlete. He enrolled in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association program and was subject to random blood and urine testing 24/7/365,†wika ni Iole.
“He was the epitome of a champion and is a deserving recipient of the 2012 Yahoo! Sports Fighter of the Year award,†dagdag pa ng Yahoo! Sports columnist.