MANILA, Philippines - Newly crowned WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. arrived yesterday without much fanfare although Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said a grand welcome and a motorcade will be held anytime this week to honor the Filipino boxing hero.
“The entire city of Manila and I congratulate him for his spectacular win over (Fernando) Montiel, who he knocked out in the second round,” said Lim while raising Donaire’s hand upon arrival at the NAIA Centennial Terminal with wife Rachel.
He added that a motorcade will be held around Manila.
“We will schedule a motorcade for Donaire around Manila. People definitely want to see him,” Lim said.
Donning a black jacket and a white cap, Donaire nevertheless received a warm welcome from the city officials, led by Mayor Lim, his chief of staff and media bureau chief Ric de Guzman, first district Councilor Niño dela Cruz and aide de camp and city security force chief ret. Major Nicolas Amparo, along with the city’s department of tourism employees and the Manila City band.
Lim, who had honored Donaire since 1997, said the champion has once again made Manilans and the whole country proud with the “very spectacular” knockout of Montiel, a three-time division world champion.
The win hiked Donaire’s fight record to 26 wins, including 18 KOs, against one loss while dealing Montiel his second loss against 44 wins, including 34 knockouts.