By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (37-3, 24KOs) has said he is honored to be on the November 5 card at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas headlined by eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who will face WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas.

Speaking for her husband who is currently in San Diego attending a leadership seminar, Rachel Donaire told BoxingScene.com/The Standard “fighting on a Pacquiao card has always been something he has wanted to do because it will give him (Nonito) a chance to show his support for what Manny has done to open the door for Filipinos.”

Rachel described the card as one which will highlight the Philippine-Mexican rivalry since Donaire is slated to fight Jessie Magdaleno in defense of his WBO super bantamweight title while Pacquiao-Vargas has the same storyline, in what she described as  “a power card” which reflects “the huge rivalry” between the Philippines and Mexico.

Rachel indicated that since the fight card is taking place in Las Vegas “is an added bonus,” pointing out that ever since Donaire fought Fernando Montiel it will be his “first chance to fight before Filipino hometown friends who haven’t seen him for a long time.”

She said they attend all the Filipino affairs in Las Vegas and they derive energy from their relationship with the Filipino families in Las Vegas.

Rachel Donaire informed us that Nonito will be back from San Diego on Friday evening and suggested that we call back then since he would have already spoken to the Cuban trainer he is eyeing to replace his father/trainer “Dodong” Donaire who told us he didn’t want to live in Las Vegas and wanted to be with is family in San Francisco where he has his gym.