By Jake Donovan

It's a vastly different look for Nonito Donaire from the last time he fought in the Philippines. The born-again 33-year old Fil-Am star returned to his roots last March following a devastating knockout loss to Nicholas Walters, with the intention of the homecoming simply to get his career back on track.

Three wins later, Donaire - born in the Philippines but raised in San Leandro, California - returns home a hero as evident by the massive fan support and media attention received ahead of his 122-pound title defense versus Hungary's Zsolt Bedak this weekend in Cebu, Philippines. The show will air live locally on ABS-CBN Channel 2 and on InDemand Pay-Per-View in the U.S.

More than 18,000 tickets have already been sold, with anticipation of walk-up sales putting some 30,000 paying patrons into the Cebu City Sports Complex.

"It's been crazy, but I'm truly humbled and blessed by all of the attention," Donaire (36-3, 23KOs) quipped of the homecoming. "I was at a mall earlier this week and it had four levels (floors). My floor was packed just from people knowing I was there. Within 10 minutes all of the other floors filled up, with like 500-600 people waiting to see me, It is such a blessing."

The attention and anticipated crowd puts Donaire back in a favorable position in a weight class he once ruled. A former four-division titlist who was recognized as the very best during his stays at flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight, the veteran boxer has won three straight at 122-pounds following a brief foray in the featherweight division. With the right camp - and opportunity - he can still make 126, but for now seems intent on recapturing past glory in a division where he previously claimed the lineal championship as well as 2012 Fighter of the Year honors.

"You look at this weekend, we're looking at 30,000 in Cebu - when it comes to stars at 122 and 126, Nonito Donaire is there at the top," insists Carl Moretti, vice president of operations at Top Rank, Donaire's promoter since 2008.

The two-tour super bantamweight titlist certainly enhanced his marketability in the manner in which he reclaimed a belt in this weight class. What appeared to be a blowout versus Cesar Juarez turned out to be a back-and-forth slugfest which rated as among the best fights of 2015. Donaire ultimately prevailed by unanimous decision in their thriller last December in San Juan, Puerto Rico, collecting a portion of the 122-pound title.

Even with the title win, Donaire views his return to 122 as an opportunity for redemption and to prove he has plenty left in the tank to serve among the very best in the world.

"I want the best out there, that's just who I am," notes the boxer, who has always served as his own worst critic. "I don't want fights that I know I can easily win. I want all the champs at 122. I want (recently unified titlist) Carl Frampton... and of course I want another fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux."

Donaire's first run at 122 ended with a disappointing points loss to Rigondeaux in April '13 - coming just two days after accepting te 2012 Fighter of the Year award from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). It was his last fight at 122 before returning to the division, a 2nd round drubbing of William Prado in Manila, Philippines. He followed up the feat with a 2nd round stoppage of Anthony Settoul last July in Macau before the aforementioned title-winning thriller versus Juarez last December.

The targeted opponent for his first defense was former featherweight titlist Evgeny Gradovich, who planned to move down in weight. However, his body didn't agree with his mind, remaining at featherweight where he was recently picked apart by Oscar Valdez earlier this month in Las Vegas.

Instead, his handlers went with Bedak (25-1, 8KOs) - best known for beating Abner Mares in the 2004 Athens Olympics where he represented his native Hungary. Saturday's bout marks just his second career appearance outside of Europe, that moment coming in a knockout loss to then-unbeaten 122-pound titlist Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. in May '10. The 32-year old has since won 10 straight ahead of his second attempt at a title.

With a win, the plan is to move forward, although how aggressive the pursuit of upgraded competition will depend on whom gets final say.

"For what it's worth, we were in discussion with Eddie Hearn (of Matchroom Boxing in the UK) for a bout with (Scott) Quigg before he lost to Frampton," Moretti points out, "With the political issues in getting (Frampton, who is advised by Al Haymon and is being groomed for a summer showdown with unbeaten featherweight titlist Leo Santa Cruz), we have to look at what's best (for all involved), Nonito wants the best, and at 33 year old he's like "I want everyone." (That mindset) can be good.. and bad."

Given his adoring public and the recent retirement announcement from the nation's most popular figure - former eight-division titlist Manny Pacquiao - comes the desire for Donaire to step up his game even more so than has been the case throughout his own incredible career.

"It's only natural, fans they want someone to look up to, someone to represent them," acknowledges Donaire. "I carry the Philippines flag and colors with tremendous pride. It's an honor to represent the people, and it's going to show in my performance (on Saturday)."

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene,com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox