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DONAIRE INTERVIEW: "PACQUIAO WILL DEFINITELY SHOCK THE WORLD ON DEC. 6" By Dr. Allan Recto PhilBoxing.com Sat, 25 Oct 2008 Las Vegas, NV ? During my attendance to the (AAPRP) American Association of Professional Ringside Physician?s Annual Medical Conference at the Paris/Bally?s Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada last week from Oct. 15-19, 2008, we had a chance to visit the Top Rank Gym at 3 PM, Friday, Oct. 17th. Nonito Donaire, Jr., 19-1 (12 KO) was working out and had a total 12 round sparring session with boxers Angel Magdaleno, Adam Fiel and his Dad/trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr. Current IBF/ IBO Flyweight Champion of the World Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire, Jr. will defend his belt (title) by fighting rugged challenger from South Africa, Moruti Mthalane, 22-1 (15 KO) at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in November 1, promoted by Top Rank. Nonito Donaire, Sr. taping the hands of son ?The Filipino Flash? prior to sparring session. Rachel, the better half, is seen at background. Trainer Kenny Adams putting gloves on Nonito?s sparring partner Angel Magdaleno while he waits on top of ring. THE INTERVIEW During our visit to the Top Rank Gym with Las Vegas based, Team Pacquiao insider, Joaquin Hagedorn, we were able to interview the champion. Here?s the transcript of my exclusive interview with - Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire, Jr. Dr. Recto ? How are you doing? How?s training going? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? Well, right now, I?m doing really well. Trainer Kenny Adams and his fighter Angel Magdaleno has been giving me a lot of sparring along with my Dad?s fighter Adam Fiel?with my Dad finishing it off. Today, we do 12 rounds of sparring?4 rounds each?including with my Dad. The weight is really good?I?m really confident?I?m in good shape?so I?m ready to go! Dr. Recto ? When did you start sparring? 4 rounds?6 rounds, etc.? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I started about a month and a half ago with 4 rounder then 6 rounder?I know that I haven?t been in the ring for awhile so we wanted for me to be comfortable back in the ring?We kind of started early this time?usually we start a month before. Dr. Recto - Your opponent Mthalane?have you studied him?his style, etc? Have you watched his tapes? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I did not really see it?my Dad did. I know what he is capable of and he is always in shape?but we?re ready?all we need to do is to get my game together?and come up with a strategy and my dad has been doing that?.so, so far we?re good?we?re ready and prepared physically and mentally. Dr. Recto ? So, you?ll be the undercard of the main event-Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. vs. Matt Vanda? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? Yes?that?s correct! Dr. Recto ? On that same night, Cristian Mijares will fight Vic Darchinyan? Who do you think will win? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? Cristian Mijares is a smart fighter?the only way he can lose to Darchinyan is if he plays his game?but I doubt he?s gonna do that?Mijares is too smart for that and would not get caught with any of his punches?and I think that Mijares is the smarter fighter and he?s a better fighter overall?that?s why he is going to win this fight I think. Dr. Recto ? Any plans of fighting the winner of that match? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? It depends upon my promoter Top Rank?For me I don?t decline any opponent?whoever it is, I?ll fight?but if they decide to do it, it would be an honor for me. Dr. Recto ? That?s good?any message to your fans in the Philippines? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I just want to thank them for their continued support and come November 1st?I look forward to my next fight?I?ll do the best that I can? I?ll continue to make our country proud and hopefully, take it step by step, gain more from it. I?m gonna do my best and try to make it more exciting as much as I can?and I wish to thank all my Filipino fans. Dr. Recto ? What about your future? Any plans? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I don?t look past my fight? I?m doing this fight at 112 lbs but next time it will be at 115 lbs?I?m a fighter?that?s all I need to know?as my Dad is the trainer?we just train as hard as we can?whoever they say we fight?we fight?I?m going to go in there with the same determination as Pacquiao?everybody?s giving me that push? I take that as a blessing from God?then take it from there. Dr. Recto ? Life is good?new wife. How?s married life? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I?ve been really blessed with my wife, Rachel?she?s really been very helpful?with everything?even taking my phone calls when I don?t feel like talking at times?she make me train harder?she helps me out to get my stuff ready?and wakes me up if I forget?she pushes me off the bed anyway?to wake me up. Dr. Recto ? One last thing?what are your thoughts on the De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? I think that De La Hoya is a bigger opponent but I think that Manny is the faster guy?He is confident that he can avoid his punches?he has been thru a lot of fights and is experienced enough and with that confidence?and the way he trains from what I?ve heard?he is gonna make things happen. Dr. Recto - Do you think he will shock the world in Dec. 6? Nonito Donaire, Jr. ? Oh yeah?definitely?most definitely! I mean my whole family and me and all the people that knows me and support me are going to this fight?we?re in this together?they believe it as much as I believe it?as much as Pacquiao believes in himself?that is all that we can really do is just to pray and support him for that. Dr. Recto ? Thank you and good luck to you, Nonito. AAPRP 2008 Annual Awards Banquet That evening, upon my invitation as new member of the AAPRP, Nonito Donaire, Jr. & wife Rachel together with Dad Nonito Sr. attended the AAPRP Annual Awards Banquet at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada as my special guests. The American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians (AAPRP) was established about 10 years ago with a mission of promoting health and safety in boxing. The AAPRP had their 8th annual medical conference on Ringside Safety and this year?s program was highly educational, enlightening, and enjoyable as per Dr. Michael Schwartz (Chairman and President). This year the AAPRP 2008 award recipients included, from Massachusetts, Dr. Patty Yoffe (Ringside Physician of the Year), and Executive Director of Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, Mr. Greg Sirb (Administrator of the Year). Distinguished Educator of the Year went to Dr. Calvin Inalsingh from Trinidad and Tobago. Lifetime Achievement Award went to Mr. Ed Brophy of Canastota, New York, home of the Boxing?s Hall of Fame. Nonito, Jr. and his family met Former Heavyweight Champion Ken Norton who graced the event as AAPRP Convention Guest Speaker to include Female Welterweight Champion Mia St. John, among others. It was truly a memorable night for all ringside physicians present ? ?For Medical Safety and Love of Boxing as a Sport!? Ken Norton in podium with AAPRP VP-Secretary Mr. Jack Hirsch (L) and President & Chairman Dr. Michael Schwartz (R). 2008 Ringside Physician of the Year, Dr. Patty Yoffe, from Harvard Boxing in Boston, Massachusetts. Left to Right, Dr. Barry Jordan, Mr. Greg Sirb (awarded), Ms. Melvina Lathan and Dr. Michael Schwartz. Chief Ringside Physician from San Antonio, TX, Dr. Wayne Lee with the champ Nonito Donaire, Jr. Former Heavyweight Champ Ken Norton meet current IBF/IBO World Champ Nonito Donaire, Jr & wife Rachel. OPEN MEDIA WORKOUT ?The Filipino Flash?Nonito Donaire, Jr. announced that this coming Tuesday, October 28, he will have an open media workout at the Top Rank Gym in Business /Dean Martin Sts. in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be answering questions from members of the media, before locking horns with Moruti Mthalane in November 1 at Mandalay Bay. Top photo: An autogrpahed poster of the Donaire-Mthalane fight on Nov. 1. All photos by Dr. Allan Recto. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto. |
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