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Philippines, 28 Feb 2026 |
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Donaire Starts Training for December Defense<br>Cited as Most Outstanding Boxer By Ed Picson PhilBoxing.com Sun, 14 Oct 2007  IBF/IBO world flyweight champion Nonito ?Jun-Jun? Donaire will stake his crown for the first time on December 1 against Mexican Luis Maldonado (ranked IBF #4) at the Foxwoods Hotel and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, reputedly the largest casino in the world. It will be recalled that last July 7, Donaire shocked the boxing world with a smashing 5th round TKO victory over the heralded ?Raging Bull?, Vic Darchinyan, until then an undefeated champion. Darchinyan, who counted among his victims Jun-jun?s elder brother Glenn (6th round technical decision, with Donaire complaining his jaw was broken) and Davao journeyman Diosdado Gabi (8th round TKO), was a heavy favorite going into that fight but was outfoxed and outpunched by the 24 year old Filipino. Coached and trained by his father Nonito Sr., Jun-Jun is the model athlete who does all the right things in preparing for a fight. It was his father and brother Glenn who figured out Darchinyan?s weakness and developed the perfect foil for it. The Donaires doggedly practiced the move to take advantage of the Armenian-Australian?s porous defense with Glenn and Gabi giving the young challenger valuable information. The well-rehearsed and perfectly-timed left hook landed flush on the jaw of the champion that sent him face-down on the canvass. Darchinyan gamely got up at the count of seven, but his legs wouldn?t hold and he went reeling across the ring glassy-eyed, forcing the referee to stop the action. The Filipino champ started training as early as three weeks ago for the December fight and has even started sparring with his brother Glenn (who will also see action in the card against a still to be named foe) and a Mexican boxer who comes in only when his regular job allows him to. ?It?s for that reason that we elected to have the training at the famous ALA Gym of Tony Aldeguer in Cebu. He has a lot of fighters who can give us good sparring, and his facilities are known to parallel those of the best in the world?, says Nonito Sr., in a long-distance conversation from their base in San Leandro, California. Jun?Jun?s opponent Maldonado totes an impressive record of 37 Wins (28 KO?s), 1 loss (to Darchinyan, TKO 8th) and a draw (with current WBC Super-flyweight champ Christian Mijares). ?We?ve seen some of his fights on tape and he?s a switch-hitter with average punching power but with good moves, which is why we?re preparing hard for him? adds Dodong (Nonito Sr.?s nickname), a former Philippine Army corporal before he migrated to the States. Asked when they intend to fly to Cebu for the rest of their training, Donaire says they are just waiting for their training expenses to be remitted by Jun-Jun?s manager Cameron Dunkin who already approved the plan. The Donaire-Maldonado flyweight championship will reportedly serve as the supporting main event to the light-heavyweight championship fight between Antonio Tarver and George Blades. As this article went to press, Donaire Sr. called back to say he had just received information that Jun-Jun was to be accorded the ?Most Outstanding Boxer of the Year? at the Double Tree Hotel in Ontario, California in the 28th World Boxing Hall of Fame Banquet of Champions. Manny Pacquiao will also receive the ?Fighter of the Year? award in the same ceremonies. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed Picson.  |
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