(SALUTE: Hats off to POC president Peping Cojuangco for his efforts to restore order in national sports associations being beset by leadership problems. The solutions may not be exactly fool-proof but, at least, Cojuangco has sent the RP sports ship sailing again? Sincerest thanks to those who sent encouraging messages and offered prayers following that cowardly threat made on this reporter last Tuesday.)

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After all he had said and done, Nonito Donaire Jr., sad to say, has remained a world boxing champion waiting to be fully crowned.

Yes, he?s officially listed as the IBF 112 lb king.

Unfortunately, the crown on his handsome head doesn?t gleam with his people?s stamp of admiration and approval.

It?s no fancy silverware, of course, what Donaire shows wherever he travels to advertise his worth, with his lovely wife in tow.

But, on the whole, Donaire is a champ sorely wanting in full stardom.

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His last defense, against an obscure African, was bereft of heartwarming heroism.

He was declared winner after his foe suffered a cut on the eyebrow.

Donaire also claimed he hurt his hand and therefore failed to deliver the anticipated knockout punch.

All told, his most sensational showing was still that stoppage of Vic Darchinyan, whom he took out with a single hammer-blow to the jaw.

What followed was a colorless championship, with his title reign dragging like a listless vessel in the exacting prizefight ocean.

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It?s a bit unfair, but even that KO of the Year feat versus Darchinyan is now being labeled as a flashy fluke.

It would?ve done wonders for Donaire?s career if that scheduled clash with WBO super flyweight king Fernando Montiel in Manila did not fall through.

The tough, classy Montiel would?ve provided Donaire a classic challenge, enough to win the people?s nod.

Now they ask: What has Donaire done after grabbing the IBF flyweight belt from Darchinyan, who has since stamped his class in the 115 lb division?

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It?s rather ironic but the fiercest recorded punch Donaire had thrown ? after having stopped Darchinyan ? had his father and former trainer, Nonito Sr., on the receiving end.

The scathing verbal tirades resulted into a falling out between father and son.

For the record, it was the father, Dodong Donaire, who sacrificed his career and forfeited welfare benefits in the United States to guide his son to the crown.

That cheap behavior against his father has visibly put a dent on Donaire?s reign.

In fact, there have been efforts in the media to show that Donaire and his father Dodong had kissed and made up.

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Yes, the elder Donaire has evidently forgiven his son.

But, at the same time, the spurned parent has denied reports he would be at ringside when his son would defend his IBF title against undefeated Raul Martinez of Mexico (25-0) at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow.

?We were not invited, sir,? Donaire Sr. told the Philippine Daily Inquirer yesterday.

You were supposed to have received your tickets to the fight.

?That came only from his [name of reporter] mouth, not from Junior?s mouth,? the elder Donaire explained.

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Dodong Donaire, meanwhile, assured that his son?s excess weight ? Nonito Jr. was 118 lb a week before the bout ? was normal for the flashy Filipino world flyweight champ.

He said Martinez was both powerful and tough.

It should be a good fight, Dodong Donaire added.

Of course, it can?t be said right now if Nonito Jr. can come up with a win big and heroic enough to crown him his people?s champ.

No, Nonito Jr. is not exactly a ruler without a kingdom.

But his father would be overjoyed if the world crown finally fits Nonito?s head after tomorrow?s main battle against a menacing Mexican.