The Philippine Consulate honored World Bantaweight Champion Donito Donaire Wednesday ahead of his first and only title defending match-up against undefeated Omar Narvaez of Argentina. The matchup-taking place at Madison Square Garden Theater on Saturday is the first time a reigning Filipino boxing champ will fight in the famous theater since 1965.
Donaire, 28, is a Filipino- American born in Talibon, Bohol, Philippines. He has spent the week leading up to the main event engaging with fans and the Filipino Community in the New York City area.
He held a public workout at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn where and spoke to students at the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey in Jersey City.
Donaire also held auditions for Filipinos living in the tri-state area to compete for a chance to sing the Philippine National Anthem as well as the United States National Anthem.
New Jersey singers Tiffany Viray, 14 and Lianah St. Ana, 12 were chosen to sing the Philippine and United States national anthems.
Donaire, a top five pound-for-pound fighter talked more about historic fighters who paved the way for him than himself.
One thing Donaire did say when asked how he feels about fighting an undefeated champ is “There is greater challenge in giving them their first defeat”.
With those words he seems to be ready to show the crowd what he says will be “ the true heart of a true Filipino fighter.”
Donaire describes the events , including auditions for Filipinos living in the Tri-state to sing the Philippine as well as American National Anthem in the weeks leading up to the fight. This is his first time coming to New York City for a boxing match.
Donaire answers how he rates himself to other legendary Filipino Boxers.
Nonito Donaire tells fans what they can expect from him at the fight on Saturday in Madison Square Garden Theater.
Words of pride and good luck in Filipino, the sound of cameras flashing and the crowd clapping as Boxer Nonito Donaire enters the room for reception