He’s been flying underneath the radar as of late, but Nonito Donaire is silent no more. The current IBF/IBO flyweight world champion joins Boxingherald.com and talks about his future in boxing. Donaire makes no bones about it — he wants to show everyone that his impressive knockout win over Vic Darchinyan was no fluke. Darchinyan is scheduled to fight Dimitri Kirilov on August 2, and Donaire will be rooting for him. Obviously a Darchinyan loss to Kirilov would all but squash a nice money fight rematch between the two. Boxingherald.com welcomes Nonito Donaire.
BH ? Nonito thanks for joining Boxingherald.com. What’s the latest with you champ?
ND ? Right now I am just relaxing some after my fight got canceled. I have been sparring with my brother, it keeps us both ready if the call comes. I am in pretty good shape right now, just been staying in shape and keeping busy.
BH ? Can you share any details with us on why your last fight was canceled?
ND ? From what I heard the money just didn’t come through right. The sponsors backed out, but I don’t get into that stuff. All I do is just train hard and prepare myself for the fight.
BH ? So what’s next for you? When can your fans expect you back in the ring?
ND ? Well there is talk that I will be on the undercard of Vic Darchinyan’s fight, but my manager isn’t too happy about that. But to me, it doesn’t matter, a fight is a fight to me. I’ll fight, I just want to fight. I’m not sure who it will be against, but I am ready to fight.
BH ? Honestly, I can’t much blame your manager for not being happy about that being you knocked out Vic Darchinyan.
ND ? That’s true, you’re right. I don’t know how that stuff goes, I will just train hard and I am willing to face whoever they put in front of me.
BH ? I am still laughing about the night when you knocked Darchinyan out. After the fight he was acting as if he won the fight (laughs).
ND ? (Laughs) I guess it happens. People get temporary amnesia. I do want him to win the fight though, it would be good. It would set up the rematch and I would get my chance to prove to everyone that it wasn’t a fluke when I knocked him out.
BH ? Well that’s certainly fair. I don’t blame you for routing for him, a rematch is the money fight for you.
ND ? One way or another I expect it. I am getting a little older, and my body is gaining a little more weight. For me I am very disciplined, I can move up or down in weight.
BH ? What is your optimal weight to fight at right now?
ND ? Right now 115lbs is good. I can go up to 122lbs, I am pretty tall. And in the future maybe 126lbs. Right now I am good at 115lbs though.
BH ? How was your trip to the Philippines? I am guessing that you were treated nicely.
ND ? The trip was great. Everyone started to notice me, it was great. It’s my home, and I got to see my family. I enjoyed the beaches and the resorts out there, it was a great vacation.
BH ? Do you put onto your shoulders any extra weight to carry on where Manny Pacquiao will leave off once he retires?
ND ? Well in the beginning I always fought for my family. Right now I am fighting for the whole country, they treated me so well. It doesn’t matter because I train hard, and when I fight I give it all I got, so if I lose a fight there is no shame in it. I give it all that I have when I fight. I keep disciplined, and I train hard, and everyone is supporting me right now. I look at it as a challenge, and I want to make it to the top.
BH ? Manny Pacquiao to my knowledge has not reported to camp yet. Freddie Roach is nervous, Bob Arum is nervous. Do you think that with success comes a lack of discipline in some fighters?
ND ? For him, he’s earning a lot of money. He might be looking down on his next opponent a little bit. But from what I have seen from Manny, when he trains, nobody trains harder. I train hard, but compared to him, I don’t train hard (laughs). He’s a veteran, so he knows what he needs to do. In terms of power and speed he has the advantage over his opponent. In terms of hunger and determination we will see soon.
BH ? You are known for your speed, power, and ability to see and react quickly in the ring. How much of that is God’s given talent, and how much of that was created in the gym?
ND ? When we were little we worked on it. My dad would hit us, and if we don’t move we get cuts and bruises. Every time we got cuts and bruises he would make us do push ups. My dad worked on that with us when we were young. I study my opponents pattern too, I watch them and I learn their pattern and style. I look at that, and it helps me in the ring.
BH ? Do you think Vic Darchinyan overlooked you?
ND ? I think he overlooked my power. I don’t think he overlooked my speed and talent. When we were at the weight in he looked more nervous than I have ever seen him. He looked like he was intimidated by me. I think somehow I got into his head. In terms of my confidence and how I was in the ring, I think that got to him.
BH ? I promise you, he’s not going to overlook your power in a rematch (laughs).
ND ? (Laughs)…..
BH ? If you two do fight again, what type of fight do you anticipate?
ND ? Well he’s been more strategical lately, but I think he will end up going back to the old Darchinyan. Right now he’s trying to mix strategical with power, but that doesn’t work.
BH ? Do you have any advice that you can give the youngsters in The Philippines who are trying to get into the boxing world?
ND ? Well first we all have to thank Manny Pacquiao for opening the door for us. One thing I can say is to work hard. I learned that from Manny, work hard. When you are in there you have to give it all that you got. I have faith in God, and my family is behind me. Always give it all that you got. Be smart, and don’t get in over your head.
BH ? When the day comes when you hang up your gloves, do you think you will stay in boxing as a manager, or promoter?
ND ? Oh yes, I love boxing. My heart is in boxing, and actually I am managing a fighter right now. He’s a decent kid, and he can be something great if he wants it. I will be in boxing, maybe as a commentator. I want to do what De La Hoya has done — I know that’s a big thing to say. I want to have a business mind in boxing after I retire.
BH ? Do you have any closing thoughts for your fans?
ND ? I thank all of my fans for supporting me. Without my fans I am nothing. My fans make me work and fight harder. Hopefully I will be back in the ring in July or August. Just know that when I get into the ring, I will give it all that I got. Thank you Brad for the interview.
