Another boy for Rachel and Nonito
Rachel Donaire was unable to join husband Nonito Donaire Jr. here in Manila for Pinoy Pride 30 last Saturday. Rachel skipped the card, which featured her husband and Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, because of her delicate pregnancy.
It’s possible Rachel’s doctors may have ordered complete bed rest for her since standing on her feet could cause bleeding.
In the postfight press conference last Saturday, Nonito said Rachel is due to give birth in two months to their second child.
But the reason she was not allowed by her doctors to travel is because of a condition called placenta previa, where the placenta is blocking the birth canal inside the uterus. In other words, Rachel may have to undergo a caesarean procedure when she delivers since the baby’s safe passage outside the womb will be hindered by the placenta.
“It’s going to be another boy,” Nonito announced, adding that he misses his family on happy occasions like this.
Nonito easily demolished William Prado of Brazil in the second round of his comeback fight and is looking forward to a rematch with two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba, the same boxer “Prince” Albert Pagara hopes to fight in the near future.
Nonito, on the other hand, says he’s ready to take on the Cuban anytime.
* * *
If Manny Pacquiao has a Thai doppelganger who fought in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri match in Macau last November, Donaire also has a double who paraded at ringside dressed in what looked like a black leather jacket.
Even if Donaire was a few shades better looking and more muscular, the fake one fooled a lot of people, including some popular movie celebrities like brothers Raymart and Randy Santiago, who posed for pictures with him.
Or maybe they were just having fun. The show biz celebrities also posed with the flashy, bejeweled Pagara, who wore a diamond stud earring and a bedazzling gold band.
It’s not a wedding ring though, since the one he wore was really thick and the “Prince” has not yet found his princess.
Pagara was crowned IBF Intercontinental junior featherweight champion after beating Mexican Fofo Hernandez by TKO last Saturday.
Led by Pagara, the ALA boxers will display their wares before their kababayans based in Dubai this June.
After the highly successful card in the UAE some months ago, the Filipinos, as well as Arabians, had clamored for more.
Pinoy Pride 30 was star-studded. I got a buss from behind from Purefoods superstar James Yap, who was with teammate Marc Pingris. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada was there and so was TV game show host and actor Edu Manzano. Even the boxing association president, Ricky Vargas, was there.
