Ace Freeman caught up with the ?Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire to get his thoughts on the upcoming Dec. 6 mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya. See what the champ had to say about about the fight and how Manny Pacquiao stands as a shining example to both himself and Filipino fighters everywhere, only on FightFan.com!
FF: FightFan.com here with the ?The Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire. Nonito I wanted to ask you your thoughts on the Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya fight. What do you think of that match up?
ND: Obviously De La Hoya is a lot bigger? but in terms of speed, Pacquiao has it. What?s there for a big puncher if he can?t land his punch? If you look at my fight with Darchinyan it?s a different level but it?s similar in some ways. Darchinyan couldn?t land his punch and then he felt mine. As far as Manny vs. Oscar goes, Manny believes in himself. I believe in him and everyone believes in him. All of my people believe in him and he knows that and it brings him confidence. As long as he doesn?t get hit (with something big) he?s going to do his thing. I?m going to be there screaming my butt off. I think speed will prevail that night.
FF: Do you know Manny quite well?
ND: I have known him for quite a while, even before he became champion at super bantamweight. We would hang out at the house and sing karaoke and drink beer with my father. I?ve known him for quite a while and he?s a role model for every Filipino fighter and especially for me. The way he trains is incredible. I mean I train hard, but I?ve never seen anyone who trains the way he does.
FF: It amazes me the way he puts together the training and the big performances under all that pressure he has with so many people?s hopes and dreams riding what he does?
ND: That?s why he?s an example for me, because a lot of people would break from all that pressure and expectation but he goes out there and goes all out. That?s one thing I see from watching him that he shows to all of us. He shows us that we need to go out there and give it all we?ve got.
I was told once by an opponent?s coach that there will never be another Manny Pacquiao. There might never be another Pacquiao, but his heart will always live on from fighter to fighter (in the Philippines) and I will try to show that heart inside the ring when I give it all I?ve got. That?s something I?ve learned from Manny Pacquiao. He?s taught that to all of us Filipino fighters? that we have to have that heart. He stands as an example of that to us all.
