INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. got some quality tips from two respected Filipino boxing personalities.
During a press preview of his December title defense yesterday at the Mall of Asia, Donaire met former world junior-lightweight champion Rene Barrientos and legendary trainer Flor Rivera.
Both Barrientos and Rivera were awed by the speed and timing of Donaire who did the punch mitts with father-trainer Nonito Sr.
?Mabilis at magaling ?yung timing ng suntok. Malayo ang mararating nu?ng bata basta tama din ang handling ng career niya,? said Barrientos.
Rivera said the five-foot-seven Donaire will be unbeatable in the flyweight division because of his height and exceptional skills.
?Maganda ang height niya for a flyweight. Maraming pahihirapan ?yan kung kakayanin pa niya ?yung timbang,? added Rivera.
Both Rivera and Barrientos, however, disclosed that they noticed some loopholes in Donaire?s defense. The two were able to make the assessment after watching Donaire?s spectacular one-punch fifth-round technical knockout victory over Armenia-born Vic Darchinyan of Australia last July in Connecticut.
?Kapag umaatras siya naka-taas ?yung ulo niya which is still a good target for a wild punch,? said Barrientos. ?He needs to bend his head a bit once he backs up para at least nakatago ?yung ulo niya.?
Rivera suggested Donaire should pay attention to his left hand which the General Santos-born fighter kept low during his fight with Darchinyan.
?Lahat kasi ng boxers ko ayaw ko ?yung nakababa ?yung kamay. Your hands are your best defense if you always keep it up,? said Rivera.
Barrientos is one of the most successful retired boxers after being able to send all his five children to school. All of them are currently professionals. He lives in a modest house in Cagayan de Oro together with wife Antoinetta.
Rivera, a Las Vegas-based trainer, was once the chief cornerman of two-division world champion Luisito Espinosa. He and Barrientos are in town for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention at the Manila Hotel.
The 24-year-old Donaire is revving up for his first title defense on December 1 at the Foxwoods Hotel and Casino in Connecticut.
Donaire (18-1, 12 KOs) will stake his IBF crown against Mexican challenger Luis Maldonado.
Donaire will be back in Cebu today where he is training at the famed ALA Boxing Gym.
