IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. delivered a strong message to doubters before he left Manila with his father and trainer Nonito Sr. for the US last Saturday night.
?I?m no one-hit wonder,? said the General Santos City-born fighter, referring to detractors labeling his fifth round knockout over Vic Darchinyan to wrest the IBF crown last July a fluke. ?I don?t know where that talk came from but I?m out to prove my critics wrong. I?m taking it as a challenge. I?ll do my best against (Luis) Maldonado and take it from there.?
Donaire, 25, flew from his home in San Leandro, California, to train in Cebu last Oct. 22. He was back in the US this past weekend and tomorrow, leaves for Connecticut where he makes his first title defense against Maldonado on Dec. 1 (Sunday morning, Manila). The fight will be aired live on Solar TV and during Third Force Promotions? ?Payback? card, featuring Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, at the Araneta Coliseum this Sunday morning.
Weight was an issue for Donaire in training camp but he?s confident of making the 112-pound limit at the weigh-in the day before the fight. He arrived in Cebu weighing 133 pounds. At the airport last Saturday, Donaire was 119.
?When I wake up in the morning, I?m up to 119 then I go down to 113 after working out,? said Donaire. ?I know my body. I expect to be 122 to 125 when I land in the US. I?ll be 118 when I leave for Connecticut then 112 for the weigh-in. My weight fluctuates. I?ll probably be 127 when I enter the ring. I?m not sluggish. I eat healthy. I don?t get tired in the gym.?
Donaire arrived in Manila from Cebu last Saturday noon, sweated it out at the Ringside gym in Makati in the afternoon and boarded the Philippine Airlines flight that night.
Donaire said his US promoter Gary Shaw is arranging a unification fight against either WBC titlist Daisuke Naito or WBA ruler Takefumi Sakata, both from Japan, after he disposes of Maldonado. His immediate goal is to become the undisputed flyweight champion. Down the road, Donaire said he?ll move up to the superflyweight division and take on the likes of Christian Mijares, Fernando Montiel and Jorge Arce.
But that doesn?t mean he?s looking past Maldonado whose record is a fearsome 37-1-1, with 26 KOs.
?I haven?t really studied Maldonado?s style,? said Donaire. ?I found out I was fighting him when I was already in Cebu. I caught glimpses of him fighting Darchinyan but that?s all. Whatever he brings into the ring, I?ll be prepared to handle. I?ll adjust along the way. He?s a tough guy but I can beat him. I don?t think he can take what I?ll dish out. I did more conditioning than strategizing in the gym because the fight was at short notice. Maldonado is an experienced fighter so I?ve got my work cut out for me.?
Donaire said training in Cebu was a blessing. ?From now on, I?m setting up camp at the ALA gym in Cebu to prepare for my future fights,? he said. ?I worked out with great sparmates, especially (Philippine flyweight champion) Rocky Fuentes who fights like a Mexican, always coming in, throwing punches. I did over 50 rounds of sparring. I?m in better physical condition now than I was when I fought Darchinyan.?
Donaire said he?s dedicating his next fight to his mother Imelda?s father Francisco Gonzales who lives in Bohol.
?When I was six, I remember my grandfather listening to the radio coverage of big fights,? he said. ?My grandfather is a big boxing fan. He?s now 95. He?s not been well. He just broke an elbow from a bad fall. I don?t want to disappoint him. I?m knocking out Maldonado for him.?
Donaire said he plans to return to Cebu in January to prepare for his next fight, possibly in March.
ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer, who hosted Donaire?s camp, was impressed with the champion?s discipline and work ethic.
?He?s in top shape,? said Aldeguer the other day. ?I?m amazed at how he is able to manage his weight. I saw (Luisito) Espinosa looking so gaunt when he lost a lot of weight for his fight against (Israel) Contreras. With Donaire, it?s different. His eyes aren?t sunken. All people aren?t the same. I think Donaire?s metabolism works faster. I?m happy for him. Cebu has adopted him. The fans love him. He?s very accommodating and very disciplined. He?s welcome in our gym anytime.?
