The word “great” has been used to describe Nonito Donaire for a while. Another suitable term is “luxury”.
The 39-year-old bantamweight player proved it yet again on Thursday at his final press conference to boost his defense against fellow Filipino Reymart Gaballo on Saturday in Carson, California (Showtime) .
When Gaballo was struggling with his English, Donaire stepped in as a translator for his opponent before a later neutral interpreter took over.
Gaballo was asked how worried he was about Donaire’s vaunted left hook. He tries to answer questions in English but defaults to his native language, Tagalog. That’s when Donaire, who grew up in America, lends him a hand.
“He said, ‘Not just the left hook. He also has other arsenals that we also have to keep an eye on,'” Donaire said.
And when Gaballo was asked what winning over Donaire meant to him, he replied in Tagalog and Donaire translated.
“He said, “It would make him very happy if it happened because what he has been looking for all his life is to be announced as world champion,” said Donaire.
Those who have followed Donaire’s career will be amused, but not surprised, by his dual duties at the press conference. He is that kind of person.
And he has a special point for Gaballo because he is Filipino. It is not often that the world champion from the Philippines defends his title against a compatriot. That means a lot to Donaire.
“I am proud that there is another Filipino who is fighting at this level,” he said. “I am delighted to share the ring with Reymart. I know he is very hungry and he has a big dream, like everyone in the Philippines. I knew he was going to be at his best, so I made sure I was prepared and in top shape. ”
And Donaire says the kindness he shows in interviews matches his standards of behavior.
“This is a gentleman’s sport,” he said. “It gives credibility to a boxer if he can speak with sportsmanship. It is not talking to other people. I believe the greater man can look his opponent in the eye, shake hands with him and then kill people while they are in the ring.
“I love the sport of boxing. It gives me everything that I have and I will represent the sport with honor and integrity. “
Of course, as he says, Donaire’s good nature only goes so far. He’s on a mission to be the undisputed 118-pound champion. And he wasn’t about to let Gaballo get in his way.
“Reymart is a really good boxer, but I have a lot of confidence,” he said. “I have a bigger fish to go after this fight. We’ll both do our best but winning is the only thing I’m here for. ”
