Donaire looking forward to rematch

Through much of his astonishing career, Nonito Donaire Jr., always felt the need to explain and prove himself.

As an Asian kid growing up in the United States, he fought bullies in school and took up boxing to build his confidence.

Even as he rose to boxing stardom with sensational knockout victories, critics would say he was too tall at 5 feet 5 1/2 inches to be a flyweight or a bantamweight.

They say he has to “pick foes his size.”

Then he floored 6-foot South African Jeffrey Mathebula for the IBF super bantam title in 2012. When he knocked out superstar Jorge Arce, doubting experts said the Mexican slugger was simply “past his prime.”

So it didn’t come as a surprise when he apologized to fans moments after taking the WBA featherweight belt from Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa via a unanimous technical decision (due to an accidental headbutt) in the fifth round at Cotai Arena of The Venetian Macao Saturday.

Even Hall of Fame commentator Larry Merhant couldn’t help but point that out.

“But the end of the fight, when you found out that you have won, you seem almost apologetic,” said Merchant during the ring interview.

Donaire, with blood and ointment still dripping from his wound, interrupted him and asked forgiveness from the full-packed, adoring crowd “for not giving you a proper fight.”

“But from our viewpoint, you did,” said Merchant. “You were accidentally headbutted that caused the eye problem that caused the end of the fight.”

Merchant pointed out that Donaire “saw through it to knock (Vetyeka) down” and he should take credit for that.

Despite Donaireís self-deprecating comments, Filipinos either working in or touring Macau shared Merchant’s sentiments.

“He was a very good fighter indeed; he managed to knock down Vetyeka despite not seeing clearly,” said Rolly Antonio, purser of the last Philippine Airlines flight out of Hong Kong Sunday night.

Malacanang also lavished praise on Donaire who returned home Sunday afternoon to a hero’s welcome.

“I hope I made my countrymen proud, said Donaire during yesterdays press conference. “I wanted to win convincingly that is why I got frustrated.”