Boxing champ Nonito Donaire believes his 11-11-11 church wedding is lucky!
(via Manila Bulletin) Fresh from his triumphant fight versus Wladimir Sidorenko of Ukraine, Nonito Donaire announced that he and wife Rachel will marry for a second time on a date he considers “lucky.”
Nonito declared at a recent press conference that his church wedding with Rachel is set for November 11, 2011. As 11 is his lucky number, the country’s “Filipino Flash” deems re-marrying Rachel on said date guarantees that “all [his] wishes will come true.”
The boxing champ first tied the knot with Rachel Marcial, a Filipino-American model and taekwondo champion, on Aug. 8, 2008 at the
Carmel River Beach in California.
Having little Rachels and Nonitos is also part of the couple’s plans, but not for now, Nonito said.
“I think the third Nonito is somewhere there. But for now focused po kami in ensuring our future and [make sure] our finances are stable and hindi kami magwo-worry in the future,” he said in a live interview on “Umagang Kay Ganda” Dec. 14.
He may be a fighter inside the ring, but outside of it, Nonito is a lover to Rachel, whom he considers his best friend.
“Wala kaming tinatago sa isa’t-isa… best friends kami. In love kami sa isa’t-isa pero to be best friends is another story,” he said.
Rachel added that the key to their happy marriage is trust.
“That’s just the basic foundation, and the belief that God put us together for a reason,” she said.
Nonito, together with Rachel, arrived in the country from San Francisco at 3 a.m. Tuesday after his bout against Wladimir Sidorenko
last Dec. 4 in Anaheim, California. Nonito knocked out Wladimir in the fourth round, earning him his fourth knockout victory and 24th straight win.
The newly declared WBA bantamweight champ is honored that boxing analysts see him as “the next Manny Pacquiao.”
“Manny Pacquiao is the best, if not, one of the best in history. One of the greatest. So to be said that you’re the next na magiging Manny
Pacquiao, it’s a blessing and it’s such an honor,” said Nonito.
“UKG” host Alex Santos noted that like Manny, Nonito is also left-handed, southpaw boxer. Both fighters are also known for their
singing skills. Manny has two albums under his belt, while Nonito was one of the finalists on GMA-7’s “Celebrity Duets.”
Although he feels honored by the praise, Nonito is pressured by it, too.
“I try not to think about it. Ang [iniisip] ko lang is kailangan kong mag-train nang husto at kailangang panalo every time,” he said.
Training resumes as early as the holiday season for Nonito, who will next battle it out with Mexican boxer and WBC bantamweight king Fernando Montiel on Feb. 19, 2011.