Nonito Donaire’s breathtaking stoppage over Fernando Montiel was definitely a performance that left a lasting impression. With one swift left hook we saw Montiel crumpled and moments later Donaire would go in for the kill, finishing the fight in the second round as he captured the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles that his Los Mochis foe once held.
While the victory is now a few months removed, Donaire has still been on the Vegas fight scene in a different capacity at recent cards in the area. But as he takes in the action from ringside Donaire has a motive deeper than that of a casual observer, as he had his camera in hand, plying his trade as a photographer.
<--- Slideshow: Check out Nonito Donaire's candid images of Erik Morales, Saul Alvarez, Paulie Malignaggi, James Kirkland, Brandon Rios, and several other boxing stars
Donaire is an artistic man and speaks with great interest when discussing his latest project ‘Flash Photography’. A few years ago the Bohol, Philippines native saw his interest in photography perked after receiving a new camera and it’s a bug he hasn’t been able to shake.
“In the beginning I used to bring my little camera with me and I would take a lot of videos,” said a reflective Donaire. “I started to see what I could do with the camera with the video in it. I got my first camera and I started just taking photos and I started liking it. I wanted to take it to a different level. I had the opportunity to take fight photos, which I really, truly love and enjoy and that’s when I really got into it.”
I first saw Donaire taking shots at the February 26th show at the Palms as his stable mate and buddy Brandon Rios challenged Miguel Acosta for his WBA lightweight crown. In a riveting affair, Rios would walk through fire early and chop down his Venezuelan counterpart for a 10th round stoppage.
Donaire was just getting his feet wet as a ringside photographer and remembers the night well.
“It was incredible just to be there,” said Donaire. “I was still getting to know how to take photos. Chris Farina, Chris Cozzone, and Tom Casino, they were all helping me out a lot. To be able to take a photo and capture that moment with Brandon, it was incredible and I got hooked on it and I wanted to do more.”
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Weeks later I spotted Donaire ringside at the ‘Action Heroes’ event inside the Mandalay Bay as he took in the wild Robert Guerrero-Michael Katsidis and Marcos Maidana-Erik Morales battles while also chronicling Paulie Malignaggi in action and the Nobuhiro Ishida’s upset over James Kirkland. It was a stacked card from top to bottom and Donaire came away refreshed.
“Oh man, there were great fights,” Donaire mused. “Robert Guerrero with Katsidis. Malignaggi and Cotto were more good photos. It was just a great opportunity to shoot great shots and I captured a lot of great photos. The heart of Morales, he kept pressing and I captured the moment that he was there and the heart of all those warriors on that card. I had a really great time.”
Donaire is currently recognized as the world’s #3 pound for pound fighter, an achievement he has reached based on his amazing talent and willingness to pursue all challenges near his division. I asked Donaire how it is different being in the ring in a fight of his own compared to capturing everything from the apron.
“It’s totally different. You look at it in a different way. When I looked at it like I was a commentator I could see every punch and everything. With being behind the camera, it’s so different the way you see things. For me, as a fighter, it was pretty intense,” he continued.
Donaire finished up our conversation by revealing that he has been staying in shape at various Las Vegas gyms in hopes of something coming up. Much has been said about the recent drama between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank over Nonito’s services but the modest 28-year old has chosen to remain silent on the issue, instead looking to remain positive while focusing on other endeavors in his down time.
