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PSA AWARD GIVES DONAIRE DETERMINATION TO WIN By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012  The Philippine Sportswriters Association ?Athlete of the Year? award for 2011 has given Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire the determination to win as he chases his third world title against former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr on February 4 at the Alamadome in San Antoinio, Texas. Donaire was named joint ?Athlete of the Year? by the Philippines oldest journalists association alongside pool ace Dennis Orcollo, the world 8-ball champion and Southeast Asian Games 8-ball gold medalist. When the Manila Standard informed Donaire of the award early Tuesday morning, Manila Time, he was elated. He said ?I feel great. I am really, really honored to be chosen again and I?m really thankful to the PSA for showing their support and acknowledging my achievements." Rather than put any pressure on him for his upcoming fight against Vazquez Jr, Donaire said ?It gives me a lot of determination after all the hard work that I have been putting in. People in the PSA are taking notice and they inspire me. I just got to win.? It was Donaire?s second ?Athlete of the Year? award having won in 2007 alongside multi-titled swimmer Miguel Molina for his sensational 5th round stoppage of cocky Australian Vic Darchinyan to win the IBF/IBO flyweight title on July 7 that year. The former IBF/IBO flyweight champion, the WBA super flyweight interim champion and the WBC/WBO bantamweight champion spoke to the Standard shortly before sparring with undefeated 25 year old Russian featherweight Evgeny Gradovich (11-0, 6 KO?s) and trainer Robert Garcia?s nephew 22 year old lightweight Javier Garcia who has a record of 6 knockouts in 7 wins with 2 losses. Donaire his training has been ?very good. The Russian is a very tough guy and he throws a lot of punches. The guys are good sparring.? Donaire who is moving up in weight after a spectacular 2nd round annihilation of Mexican veteran Fernando ?Cochulito? Montiel to win the WBC/WBO bantamweight crown said he has ?no problems at all? with his weight which is around 125-127 pounds. Earlier, Sports Illustrated 2011 ?Trainer of the Year? and former world champion Robert Garcia said Donaire needs ?to train hard and be in great shape for Vazquez? even as he noted that ?right now, everything is going well.? Garcia said the two sparring partners ?are giving him really good work and Nonito is doing what he needs to do right now. He?s doing a really good job in sparring.? Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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