By DENNIS GASGONIA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Filipino light flyweight Glenn “The Filipino Bomber” Donaire is not only aiming to win the IBF belt from Mexico’s Ulisis Solis, he also wants to set a record for himself and his brother Nonito as the first siblings to own world boxing titles at the same time.

Donaire told 15Rounds.com’s Mario Ortega that the record is what makes his title showdown with Solis so important.
   
“This is very important for me because I want my brother and I to become the first Filipino brothers to be world champions at the same time,” he said.

Younger brother Nonito won the IBF/IBO crown by knocking out Australia-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan in the fifth round of their match last year.

“I want to get this for my dad. He trained my brother and I alone with no one’s help. This could bring recognition for my dad as well,” said Glenn.

The only other Filipino siblings to own world boxing titles were Diosdado “Dodie Boy” Peñalosa and Gerry Peñalosa.

Dodie Boy held the IBF light flyweight and flyweight titles in the 1980s. Younger brother Gerry held the WBC super flyweight in the 1990s and is the reigning WBO bantamweight champion.

“The Peñalosa brothers were both world champions, but they never held the titles at the same time,” Glenn explained.

Pneumonia delays fight

Glenn Donaire (17-3-1, 9 KOs) will be facing Solis (26-1-2, 20 KOs) on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Palenque De La Expo in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

He was supposed to fight Solis on May 27, but the match was postponed after the IBF champion reportedly suffered pneumonia.

Donaire said the postponement actually helped him to train harder for the fight.

"It really helped me a lot. Last time, two weeks before the fight, I was weighing 115. This time I am weighing only 110. I have been training really hard and had lots of sparring. Last time I didn’t have that much sparring, so I am glad he got sick. But it is going to be a good fight," he said.

He earlier said he has faith in himself as he will try to accomplish what two previous Filipino fighters failed to do against Solis.

“Ensayado ako nang husto sa laban na ito. Alam kong magaling ang kalaban pero tiwala ako sa sarili ko,” he said.

Solis knocked out Filipino boxers Rodel Mayol and Bert Batawang.

Donaire said he hopes to fare better than Mayol and Batawang since he is closely monitored by his father.