By Ryan Maquiñana
Unified bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire saluted his older brother Glenn Donaire’s triumphant return from a three-year layoff via Twitter tonight:
“Just got wind here in [the Philippines] that my older [b]rother Glenn won his comeback fight. Congrats Manoy (older brother) Boyet on [your] victory. I know we [have] our differences in life [but your] kids will be very proud [and] thankful [for] the dinner [you] put on the table tonight [and] every night after [because] it’s [your] hard work [and] no one else's. God [b]less.”
With his father Nonito Sr. in his corner, Glenn Donaire (18-4-1, 10 KOs) knocked down former world champ Alex “Nene” Sanchez (31-8-1, 21 KOs) twice in the second round en route to making the Puerto Rican quit on his stool following the eighth round. With the victory, the elder Donaire claimed the WBC Latino interim flyweight title.
The problems between Nonito Jr. and his family have been well-chronicled in the past by the Filipino media, but the two sides had seemingly reconciled as of late, with Glenn telling this writer he was thankful for receiving a brand new set of Everlast training gear from his younger brother in August to aid him in his comeback.
One can only hope both sides will continue to rebuild their relationship in the midst of this joyous moment for the Donaires.
Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.
