In this exclusive article and short documentary FightFan.com?s Ace Freeman takes you behind closed doors for a one on one visit with rising superstar ?The Filipino Flash? Nonito Donaire as he trains for his Oct. 13 unification fight with Japan?s Toshiaki Nishioka.
Photo: Ace Freeman Gloved and ready Nonito Donaire approached a heavy bag just outside the ring as I stood just a few feet behind him with my camera rolling. Suddenly the calm and quiet afternoon silence was shattered by his heavy blows crashing into the worn leather.
BANG? the left hook. The same punch that nearly dislodged Fernando Montiel?s skull from it?s skin was as awe inspiring in practice as it was in action. The bag rocked backward like a laundry sac that had been thrown off a truck.
Crack? the right hand connected as the bag swung back doing it?s best impression of Vic Darchinyan marching face first toward Donaire not knowing what was in store. The resistance from the short right hand stunned and stopped the bag square in it?s tracks where it was met with another left hook.
Again a violent and stern reminder that there was nothing small about this 122-pound man standing before me. I have had the luxury of seeing a lot of great boxers train up close and personal over the years but I don?t think I?ve ever seen anyone hit the heavy bag with such violent and powerful aggression.
