MANILA, Philippines – Under the watchful eyes of the Pe?alosa brothers, Nonito Donaire Jr. has been training harder than ever as he awaits his March 22 title defense against undefeated Mexican-American Raul ?The Cobra? Martinez.
Donaire yesterday told a packed Solar Sports press conference at the Manila Hotel that he?s logged close to 50 rounds of sparring and expects to reach over a hundred in his bid to retain his IBO and IBF flyweight championships.
?I?ve never sparred more than 50 rounds before,? said Donaire who won?t enter the historic Araneta Coliseum unaware of the caliber his opponent carries. They fought each other a few times when they were amateurs.
Donaire is now training under the Pe?alosas, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry and former world champion Dodie Boy, after the 26-year-old champion broke up with his father-trainer Nonito Sr. last year.
The elder Donaire often said that sparring is never on top of their training regimen, and has developed his son?s skills by focusing more on the basic techniques, and developing the endurance and stamina other boxers lack.
?I?ve faced him before in our amateur days but that?s completely different now. I?ve experienced his power and speed at a very young age. But we got his DVDs, too. He has the power to be there. He?s a good prospect. And he has a good chance of getting to the top.
?But I will not allow that. I will do anything to stop him. I?ve been training hard under the Pe?alosa brothers in Baguio and we?re trying to extend my potentials to become the best fighter that I can be,? said Donaire (20-1-0).
Donaire said he now weighs 118 pounds (six more off the limit) and added that training in Baguio should end by March 8 or two weeks before the fight. They wrap it up in Manila where it is hotter than the country?s summer capital.
Brian Viloria, the ?Hawaiian Punch,? faces IBF light-fly champion Ulises Solis in the double-header dubbed ?The Flash and the Furious.? He spoke of the fight yesterday via phone patch.
?He?s known as the Fil-Executioner but he?s about to face the road block. I?m going to stop him. I?m taking this fight very seriously. I?m eating, breathing Solis right not and there?s nothing on my mind,? said the former WBC champion.
Viloria said there?s no added pressure fighting before his countrymen, saying ?it?s more of a support and motivation for me. I hope to bring back the title. I will throw 120 punches per round and try to be an animal in the ring,? Viloria said from Oxnard where he?s training.
?I?m in top shape now. I?m at 112 pounds with a month left and should be there in Manila by the eighth of March,? he added.
Bob Arum, Donaire?s promoter, spoke on the phone during the press conference, and said he sees bigger fights for the native of Gen. Santos City should he get past Martinez, at 5?4? two inches shorter than the Filipino.
Arum mentioned the names of Fernando Montiel and Vic Darchinyan as possible opponents.
Donaire won his two titles (which he has defended twice) with a sensational stoppage of the previously unbeaten Darchinyan in 2007. It was a knockout to remember, and during the press con it was flashed on a giant screen a hundred times.
