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Nonito Donaire Jr.'s most recent fight with Fernando Montiel
earned for him a double victory.

First, he won the WBC and WBO Bantamweight World

Champion title. Second, he became his father's son once
again.

PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to talk to

the boxing champ and his wife Rachel at the house of the
latter's parents in Alabang last March 14. During the one-hour
exclusive interview, the couple talked about the events that
led to the end of Nonito Jr.'s almost three-year-old feud with
Nonito Sr.

"We [finally] got to communicate, to talk," was how the 28-

year-old boxer described the fateful dinner with his father on
March 3.

Initially, we sensed Junjun's (Nonito's nickname) hesitation to

talk about the feud. He had this "a-family-matter-remains-
within-the-family" stance at the start of the interview. Slowly,
he began to relax and open up about the controversy and its aftermath.


   
 "I knew a little bit... that something was going on. When I saw the article, I
didn't [realize] how big it got," he said.

The Filipino-American fighter was referring to his interview with Trix Dixon that was published on the
website of Boxing News magazine last January 6. It was one of the few times he discussed his
sentiments about his family. Following is an excerpt:

"All my life, I have done everything for my family," he says, leaning forward and with an expression
that shows the opulent surroundings actually count for very little.

"Even my subjects in school, it was them who picked my subjects, it wasn't me. Everything that I did
was for them. Anything and everything they've wanted me to do I have done. I was one of those kids
who wanted my parents to be proud of me. I wanted my parents to be happy. I didn't want to be a
burden to them.

"I have never been in trouble at all. And when I finally became my own man; they were not ready to
accept that. When I chose my wife, they were not ready to accept that. They did not want me to get
married, they just wanted me to keep doing things that I've done for them and they wouldn't accept
my wife."

Almost a week later, his mom²Imelda Donaire²issued a statement through Anthony Andales of
philboxing.com.

Up until a few days before Junjun's February 20 bout, the family feud was fodder for the media.
While his mom and dad gave interviews left and right, the boxer was oblivious to what was being said
and written against him and Rachel.

Junjun said, "She [Rachel] pretty much sheltered me. But the thing is, it's something that was already
there, you know... There's something mga ganun-ganun... But I really just focused on my fight and
tried not to be distracted."

Rachel made sure he had no access to TV and the Internet.

Junjun elaborated, "Kasi ako, pag nagte-training ako, I'm so pagod every time, e. So, I usually don't
go online. I was kinda studying PhotoShop. I was really trying to occupy myself with... kung paano
mag-edit, ganito, ganyan...

"So I haven't really had time to watch or listen to the news. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari sa
opponents ko, ganito-ganyan... I just mainly focused on boxing and then, pagkatapos, pag may free
time ako, I usually watch videos and read books."

After the fight, he learned that the family's dirty linen had been aired in public. But the "hurt" became
immaterial after the reconciliation.

He told PEP, "I was thankful [to] Rachel, you know... for everything. But after everything was settled,
for me lang talaga, whatever... I only care about the people who are important to me."

 
There was so much pain on both sides. Even Rachel, Junjun said, "was really fuming mad
at that time."