By Rachel Donaire

Friday was such a great day to realize how much love and support Nonito gets from his fans, from the ones who came overseas to watch him fight, ones that comment on his facebook and twitter, and even those who retwitter to help grow Nonito’s fan base. There were shouts and cheers from every angle at the weigh-ins. I grabbed the SUV we rented and when he got in the front seat, he sat and said “Wow, did you see how many people there were?” He was so touched by the amount of people that showed up at just the weigh-ins.

There was also a sense of disappointment in the air as we walked through the crowd. I got countless texts saying how “Unprofessional” Rafael Concepcion was, not making the weight limit and being 5 pounds off. Nonito kept getting asked, “Are you still taking the fight?” That was never a question to him. Concepcion could have been 10 pounds over, but he was committed to his fans to fight.

The unfortunate part about this is the fact that Concepcion has shown lack of professionalism, lack of integrity of being a professional boxer.

First off, why did he take the fight at 115 if he could not, or would not make the weight when he was able to just a year ago? He signed a contract right? It’s not like there was a weight change or something. Wouldn’t a professional boxer know what weight he is capable of making?

During the press conference workout Tuesday, he commented on Panama is 4-0 to Philippines in boxing. Is he willing to risk everything to make it 5-0? Is he trying to gain advantage against Nonito by being 5 lbs heavier at weigh-ins? I mean at the Media WORKOUT, he didn’t even workout! Like he was relaxed in where he was sitting. He reported to have arrived Sunday night at 119 llbs. Ironically, 5 days later, he still weighs the same. You mean to tell me this whole week he couldn’t lose a pound? He actually gained? Las Vegas is SOOOOO hot, its not possible…unless he’s scarfing down burritos after his workouts.

Our coaches noticed how energetic he was compared to Nonito at the weigh-ins, as if he had been eating right before the weigh-ins. During all this time, Nonito had kept his focus on the prize, which is the WBA Interim Championship Title and he wasn’t gonna let anything stop him. Not even Concepcion. This morning, our trainers were down at the Hard Rock Hotel Gym upon hearing Concepcion was weighing 119 and couldn’t make the weight; no sign of Concepcion sauna-ing, no sign of him running or working off the weight; he walked into weigh-ins with his neatly gelled hair and fresh look. The commission gave him two hours to “try to lose more weight” but all he did was sit in his room and said he “tried”.

This is a last attempt at attacking Nonito in any way they can. They admitted in articles that the boxing perfection Nonito is has hardly any flaws, so the only way was to play psychological games right? First DeBerry, the manager of Rafael attempt to stir up trouble by stating that they’d be worried if Senior was trainer. Is he disrespecting our fellow Filipinos—the Penalosa’s—and their accomplishments? Then he commented on Nonito’s family, trying to say Rafael is stronger due to his family ties. Is he the next Boy Abunda? That topic is soooo 9 months ago! Then DeBerry CALLS Senior to see if he would spill Nonito’s weaknesses. What kind of question is that? (That’s actually the exact question Senior asked) Senior responded that no matter what he is still his son and he’d never say anything to hurt Nonito. What’s wrong DeBerry? Didn’t train your fighter right? Worried that you have to resort to dirty tactics?

Finally, the last straw was the quotes the media got from Concepcion after the weigh-ins. He stated “I dont mind the penalty fee I have to pay. The money doesn’t worry me. I just want to beat Donaire.” Ok, I understand the whole point is coming out victorious. But in the end, Concepcion is just cheating himself and his country since he says Panama is undefeated against the Philippines. He never intended on making the weight? No matter what he does to try to pull cards in his favor, no matter dirty tactics he comes up with it’ll never work. I believe God and Nonito’s guardian angels will protect him and lead him to victory tomorrow night. With the injustice being stacked against Nonito has the RIGHT to choose not to take the fight, BUT it serves perfect that his fight is dedicated to the late Former President Cory Aquino. He wants to bring glory to the Philippine, even if everyone says he should just walk out of the fight. But by the end of Saturday night, the world will finally understand and feel what Pinoy Power is.