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Philippines, 13 May 2024 |
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Nonito Donaire Jr Unsure of Immediate Future By Ryan Songalia PhilBoxing.com Fri, 02 Apr 2010  The popular rumors circulating have it that Nonito Donaire Jr will fight a tuneup in May, followed by a rematch with arch-nemesis Vic Darchinyan in the Summer. To Donaire, all of that is rumor; He isn't sure what's going on at the moment. "I'm seeing all these dates - Darchinyan and May - but I haven't received any offers," said Donaire, 23-1 (15 KO). "I don't even know if I'm fighting in May. I wasn't even in the gym. I started this week because it's ridiculous that I'm not doing anything by this point. I'm a fighter, I'm going to be in the gym. Whatever comes my way, I'll take it. It's just ridiculous that at this point, I'm getting ready for 10-12 rounds and I don't have anything scheduled." Trainer Roberto Garcia, who works alongside Jonathan Penalosa in Donaire's corner, says Donaire will likely fight May 15 in Las Vegas, possibly at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. As to who it would be against is a mystery to Garcia as well. "I can't name anybody because they haven't mentioned any names." When asked whether the May 15 tune-up fight would be a live body or a walk-over opponent, Garcia turned philosophical. "We can say [Jorge] Arce or [Fernando] Montiel but those guys might not necessarily be tough fights. Nonito is so skillful and talented that either of those could be an easy fight for him. With Darchinyan, we could consider that a tough opponent, he's the toughest of them all but with Nonito's skill he could turn it into an easy fight." The immediate concern for the former IBF flyweight champion Donaire, age 27, is the strain on his 5'6" frame. Donaire is currently walking around at 138 pounds, 23 pounds north of the 115 pound weight limit he competes at. Donaire says he once dropped 31 pounds in four weeks to weigh in at 111 for his 2007 title defense against Luis Maldonado. But that was years ago, and who knows what effect the sudden weight loss could bring. "It's not healthy," admits Donaire, who was born in the Filipino province of Bohol but now resides in San Leandro, CA. "When you lose a lot of weight you always feel fragile. But I've always done it. I went down to 112 before but I'd rather do it safely in proper time. I'm trying to get in the best possible shape." Turning the discussion to Darchinyan only sparks further frustration. Donaire, who knocked out the previously-unbeaten Darchinyan in five rounds three years ago, has struggled to secure meaningful fights. Darchinyan on the other hand unified three titles at super-flyweight and remains the only meaningful fight at 115 for Donaire. The same is true vice-versa. "I'm tired of saying 'Let's make the fight happen' for years. I'm not here to wait for Darchinyan anymore. If this fight doesn't happen I'm willing to move up to 118." Donaire says he mentioned WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno to Top Rank as a target should he move up in weight. Moreno, age 24, is 29-1-1 (10 KO) and has fought almost exclusively in his native Panama. BoxingScene's Ronnie Nathanielsz reported on Wednesday that Donaire's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said the rematch is "just about done," and that the date would most likely be August 7 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Calls to Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti's office, Darchinyan's promoter Gary Shaw and Donaire's manager Cameron Dunkin were not immediately returned. A source tells BoxingScene that Top Rank and Gary Shaw Promotions will attempt to finalize a deal this week. "I've figured him out already," said Donaire of Darchinyan. "The first time I only had my hooks but now I have all my weapons to pick him off. I was never afraid of him in fact we always wanted to do the fight. It's just up to them to make it happen. He talks big like I'm afraid of him but it's really probably his last outing. He wants the biggest fight and he wants to fight the biggest guy out there and it's me. "If the fight happens you know I'm game for it. I don't want to play this game anymore. They should be chasing me instead of me chasing them." -RS Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Songalia.  |
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