WANTING to prove that he isn’t just another one-punch wonder, newly crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. has expressed his desire to get another world title in his next bout.
In an interview with BusinessMirror moments after his title conquest, Donaire’s father, Nonito Sr., revealed Team Donaire wants to meet longtime World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight kingpin Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in a unification battle.
“Nonito’s comfortable in the flyweight at the moment. Now that we own a piece of the flyweight division, we might as well go for another crown,” the older Donaire said before they traveled back to their home in California.
On Saturday, the 24-year-old Donaire scored one of the biggest upsets in boxing this year after he dominated previously unbeaten Vic Darchinyan of Australia inside five rounds in a world-title fight in Connecticut.
“My plan is to unify the flyweight division before going back to super-flyweight. Weight is definitely not an issue for me right now as I feel comfortable making the flyweight limit,” Donaire said even a week before his compelling conquest of the Armenia-born Darchinyan.
The lanky Donaire, who feasted on salmon and pasta to keep his weight down, easily made the 112-lb limit during the official weigh-in and was even two pounds under the limit prescribed the morning of the fight.
TV Deal
MOMENTS after their triumph in Connecticut, Donaire immediately received feelers from major Philippine television networks for possible deals for his upcoming fights.
One of them has offered to help finance Donaire’s next title defense here in the Philippines before the end of the year.
“Kung kami lang, we’re more than willing to fight before a hometown crowd. It’s always an honor for us,” said Nonito Sr. “But of course any offer na darating dapat dumaan sa manager namin. We have our American manager Cameron Dunkin and he takes care of matters regarding our schedule.”
He added that it would probably be a good idea if a unification bout between his son and Pongsaklek would serve as the main attraction of the upcoming WBC annual convention to be held some time in November in Manila.
“Magandang laban ’yun. I believe it will still create quite a stir here because Pongsaklek’s name has been consistently mentioned before as possible opponent of established fighters in the United States,” added Donaire’s father.
The southpaw Pongsaklek, 29, holds the record for the most number of title defenses as well as the fastest knockout win scored in the flyweight division.
Pongsaklek, who won the title in March 2001 at the expense of Filipino pug Malcolm Tu?acao, has since defended the title 17 times. In one of his defenses, the Thai fighter (65-2, 34 KOs) scored a 34-second knockout win over Daisuke Nato of Japan in April 2002.
Rematch
ANOTHER option the Donaires are considering is a possible rematch with Darchinyan.
During their postfight interview, the 31-year-old Darchinyan bragged that he was never hurt seriously after getting caught with a perfectly timed left hook. The 31-year-old Darchinyan tried to stand up on rubbery legs but fell forward to the ropes, forcing the referee to call a halt to the bout.
“I got caught with a great shot and these things happen in boxing. Of course I want a rematch,” Darchinyan went on.
The last fight they are mulling over is a bout with US Olympic trials conqueror and former WBC light-flyweight champion Brian Viloria.
“Sa tingin ko [kasi] walang bibili niyan,” Nonito Sr. said. “Marami naman sigurong laban para sa amin because marami din na mga quality Mexican opponents sa division kung hindi din lang si Pongsaklek ang makakalaban ni Jun-Jun,”
After his smashing first-round knockout victory over Mexican Eric Ortiz for the WBC 108-lb crown in September 2005, Viloria lost the belt to unheralded Mexican Omar Ni?o Romero the following year.
Viloria, born in Hawaii to Ilocano parents, failed to win back the crown after he dropped close verdicts against Romero in a rematch and later on to Edgar Sosa, the current champion.
Incidentally, Viloria beat both Donaire Jr. and younger brother Glenn during the US Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympics which the brothers felt were controversial decisions.
The Donaires, meanwhile, are looking forward to coming back to the country and share their latest glory with their countrymen.
“Madalas naman kami bumalik before para pasyalan ang relatives namin,” the Donaire patriarch said. “Pero siyempre, hindi pa naman kami kilala before kaya halos walang nakakaalam about the closeness of our family.”
PacMan sparring
CONTACTED by BusinessMirror yesterday, Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao extolled the feat of Donaire.
Though he still has to watch the bout over the weekend, Pacquiao said he was not surprised with the victory of his provincemate.
“Magaling talaga si Donaire at matagal ko na silang kilala. Alam ko na darating ang panahon magcha-champion din siya,” said Pacquiao.
When asked about the future of Donaire, Pacquiao said a longer and significant reign is not far-fetched as long as discipline and hard work will always come into play for the newest boxing sensation.
Pacquiao revealed that Donaire sparred a few times with him when the current Filipino superstar was still campaigning in the super-bantamweight class.
Champ comes home
FLORANTE CONDES, the other Filipino who wore a championship belt in the weekend, was expected to arrive last night from Jakarta.
Condes snatched the IBF minimumweight crown from local hero Muhammad Rachman Saturday night at the RCTI TV station in Jakarta. The 27-year-old southpaw dropped Rachman once each in the third and 10th round to seal the victory.
Condes is expected to appear today at the PSA Forum in Manila.
GMA lauds ring heroes
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the Filipino people in congratulating the country’s two newest boxing heroes.
In a statement, the President hailed Condes and Donaire for exemplifying “the fighting spirit of the Filipino athlete.”
“We salute their achievement and rejoice in their victory. These men, described in the press as underdogs, prove they belong to the league of champions,” she said.
