CEBU CITY, Philippines ? WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is pushing himself to the limit as he sets lofty goals in becoming the undisputed 122-pound ruler but it isn?t only in the ring where the Filipino Flash wants to excel.
Donaire, 33, plans to leave for Sydney to attend popular motivational speaker Tony Robbins? leadership seminar this week. Robbins, author of several best-selling inspirational books including ?Unlimited Power,? is a well-known, self-made multimillionaire whose infomercials have been viewed by over 100 million Americans in more than 200 media markets. He will launch a major league soccer franchise with partners Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm and Peter Guber in Los Angeles next year. Donaire is eager to expand his knowledge with Robbins? guidance.
After attending the seminar, Donaire will meet up with wife Rachel and their two sons, Jarel and Logan, in Hawaii for a holiday before returning home in Las Vegas.
Although he was dominant in disposing of Hungarian challenger Zsolt Bedak here Saturday night, Donaire said he still lacked patience and took more shots than he should?ve because of his eagerness to score a knockout.
?I?ve got to be more patient,? he said in the dressing room. ?I was surprised Bedak came out charging. But he probably figured he couldn?t beat me from the outside anyway. So he took a chance. It was between his punch or my punch. He got me with his overhand right early but my left uppercut split his lip and that finished it.?
Donaire said his timing was on cue. On a scale of 1 to 10, he rated his power a 10, his speed an 8 and his stamina, between 7 and 8. He was worried about the heat and humidity in the ring so he visited the open-air Cebu City Sports Complex several nights before the fight to acclimatize. Donaire said Bedak had to contend with the climate, too. Dean’s Corner ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
?I wasn?t sure if I would tire out because of the heat,? he said. ?But if I would tire out, I think Bedak would?ve tired out ahead. When Bedak came in, I gave it all I had. I kept hitting him with my left. He?s a tough guy. My dad (Nonito, Sr.) wanted me to end it by the sixth. I did it earlier.?
Donaire?s father-in-law Gerry Marcial, who flew in from Las Vegas and heads the team?s security, said Bedak was crazy in battling the champion toe-to-toe.
?I don?t know what was in his mind but if that?s how you fight Nonito, it?s like facing a gun that?s ready to shoot,? he said.
?Bedak was an easy target. I?m not involved in the training aspect but I can understand why Nonito wants to work on his patience. You don?t want Nonito taking unnecessary punches. You want him to pick his shots and avoid getting hit.?
Marcial said he?s excited for Donaire to take on the bigger names in the superbantamweight division, like WBO champion in-recess Guillermo Rigondeaux in a grudge rematch and IBF/WBA unified titlist Carl Frampton.
Another fighter he mentioned was Mexico?s unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz who?s now the WBA featherweight king in the ?super? category. Frampton and Santa Cruz will face off in New York this summer.
Donaire credited his father for bringing him back on track. They started out in boxing together, became estranged and now, they?re playing beautiful music again.
In the dressing room, Donaire got an overseas video call from wrestler, mixed martial arts fighter and actor Dave (Batista) Bautista who congratulated him for the win.
Newly-crowned WBC Continental Americas superfeatherweight champion Paul Fleming, who won the vacant throne via a unanimous 10-round decision over Mexico?s Miguel Angel Gonzalez, dropped in to congratulate Donaire.
?You?re a true gentleman and I wish you and your beautiful family only the best,? Fleming told Donaire. ?You?re a great champion and you make your country and countrymen proud. I?m honored to have fought in your undercard.?
