How come Nonito Donaire didn't catch on with a similar mainstream appeal as Pacquiao?

He is seen by the Filipnos as a little C@cky. They like Pacman's humbleness and modesty.
Plus Pacman is humanitarian and has helped the country for as long as he could whereas Nonito has been in the US for most of his life and tried to piggy back on the Filipinos' support in boxing.
My opinion ...

 

That's true. If Pacquiao was strictly a boxer and nothing more, maybe he wouldn't be as popular. Pac is a man of the people.

 

Correct. That's how he got the heart of his countrymen. Imagine winning the senate seat at 2nd-3rd place without even campaigning for it. He's that popular.

 

I remember him being very popular before the Rigo loss but It might be something to do with him being dominant in he lower weight classes, the lower divisions tend to get less air time and are not followed as much, I imagine most casuals would of only witnessed Nonito when he was doing very well at 122, then Rigo beat the hype out of him! Also Pac man was flying at this time and the boxing world was fixated on the 147 division at the prospect of May V Pac, both from the Philippines, both under TR so he would have been totally over shadowed I think

 

i've never watched a donaire card for him to be honest. kinda boring

 

Who did he beat ?

Pacquiao came to superstardom fighting and beating BIG NAMES .... Barrera, Morales, DeLaHoya, Hatton etc.

 

Missing the rags to riches story, the same extent of hiking up in weight, the overweaning humility and Gee shucks boyish persona, the sequence of big-name victories in close succession, the explosive in-ring style (more of a counter-puncher/boxer despite having a good number of highlight reel kayos of his own) and the favored position of being the stable prize with Bob as his benefactor.

 

Gotta add that having an affiliation with Freddie Roach and that accessible (WildCard) gym by the Hollywood types ect... Didn't hurt Manny's popularity aswell.

 

He was frustrating to watch at 122-26 he looked average and just mediocre.He hasn't been impressive.

 

True. Roach was already established boxing celebrity before Pac blew up, with a handful of world champs and the street cred of being the protégé of Eddie Futch, the Rooney to his D'Amato.

 

Seemed like he was on his way to the top until rigo came on the scene. Wasn't just the fight but the whole debacle of making it happened that hurt him imo.

 

1. Not as good
2. Always playing second fiddle
3. Weight
4. Wins over crossover opponents

 

Pacquiao had a defining win over Barrera that made promoters take a second look.
Then he went on to defeat other superstars in boxing in Morales and JMM.
What cemented his place among the PPV giants of the sport was his masterful performance against DLH.
And of course being at the same weight class with another PPV star in Floyd.