| |
|
Donaire recalls Pacman sparring
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 02 Apr 2022
WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. will never forget his moments with Sen. Manny Pacquiao in Los Angeles in 2001 before the ring legend defeated Lehlo Ledwaba to wrest the IBF superbantamweight title. Donaire was only 18 with a 1-1 record as a pro.
“I was one of Manny’s sparring partners,” recalled Donaire. “I was staying in an apartment in Los Angeles and Manny was training at the Wild Card Gym. I also went running with him. That was before his first US fight against Ledwaba. I learned a lot from Manny who’s a fast and quick southpaw. We talked and he gave me advice. I was invited to a barbecue with Manny and we sang karaoke. I’ll always be grateful for those moments.”
Curiously, Donaire thought of retiring from the ring after absorbing his first loss in his second fight to Rosendo Sanchez in a five-round bout in Vallejo, California, in March 2001. Pacquiao arrived in the US with manager Rod Nazario to hook up with a trainer and promoter after his knockout win over Wethya Sakmuangklang in Cotabato in April. In June, Pacquiao was in Las Vegas to dethrone Ledwaba. Two weeks before, Donaire was back in the ring to decision Saul Santoyo in a four-rounder in Inglewood, California.
“The only time I thought of retiring after a loss was over 20 years ago in my second fight,” said Donaire. “The second time I thought of retiring was after I beat (Toshiaki) Nishioka in 2012 so it wasn’t after a loss. Maybe, it was because nawalaan na ako ng gana to keep me motivated.” But only two months later, Donaire returned to action and halted Jorge Arce in Houston. His focus was back and he hasn’t looked back since. There were defeats that came his way after the win over Arce to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nicholas Walters, Jessie Magdaleno, Carl Frampton and Naoya Inoue. Still, Donaire never thought of retiring again, his fire fueled by the goal of becoming an undisputed world champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Boxer
By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025Duarte vs. Sims Jr. Title Eliminator Official: All Fighters Make Weight in Chicago
, Sat, 02 Aug 2025ALLEN v MAKHMUDOV, SUGAR NUNEZ IN MEXICO AND MORE AS MATCHROOM BOXING CONFIRMS HUGE AUTUMN LINE-UP – LIVE ON DAZN
, Sat, 02 Aug 2025Undaloc Jr. leads BBG 300 Ultra Marathon
By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 Aug 2025Round One: Dr. Bernard Remollino Brings Pancho Villa Back Into the Ring
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025Panya Pradabsri, Carlos Cañizales Make Weight for WBC 108 World Title Rematch in Venezuela
By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025“NOWHERE TO RUN” OSCAR “LA MIGRAÑA” DUARTE VS. KENNETH “BOSSMAN” SIMS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
, Fri, 01 Aug 2025Pabular to make 1st title defense on Aug. 12
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025Tacurong excited to play in Buhangin slugfest
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 Aug 2025Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover vs Former Champ Luis “Nica” Concepcion August 17 in Manila!
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Xiao Time: Where History Pulls No Punches
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Vargas Speaks After Retaining WBA Bantamweight Title in Gritty Battle with Daigo Higa in Japan
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025The “ATV” Plan is set for Undefeated Bay State Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025Youth High Performance Team Captain Salim Ellis-Bey Takes the World Stage With One Goal in Mind
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025Trainer Tommy Brooks Passes Away at 71
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Kyosuke Takami Stops Erick Rosa in 10, Becomes “The New” WBA 108 World Champion
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Immanuwel Aleem Smashes His Way To WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title and Inaugural DMV Belt With Spectacular 9th Round Stoppage Of Rival Demond Nicholson On Jeter Promotions Card
, Thu, 31 Jul 2025NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 30 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025“The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions
, Wed, 30 Jul 20252-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
, Wed, 30 Jul 2025EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2”
, Tue, 29 Jul 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
