Nonito Donaire Jr. says he?s hungry, and you?d think everyone would believe him after he weighed in at 111? pounds about three hours ago for his IBF flyweight title defense in the Philippines.
The pay-per-view card begins around 6 p.m. PDT Saturday, which is 9 a.m. Sunday in Manila. The co-feature is a light flyweight title bout in which IBF light-flyweight champion Ulises Solis (28-1, 20 knockouts) of Guadalajara defends against former WBC champion Brian Viloria, (24-2, 14 knockouts) after which Donaire (20-1, 13 knockouts) of San Leandro will fight Raul Martinez (24-0, 14 knockouts) of San Antonio in what surely will be Donaire?s last fight as a flyweight. Too bad, too, because some say he?s already the best flyweight ever.
At 5-foot-6 Donaire has a featherweight frame. He had hoped to be fighting at 115 instead of 112 this spring, but circumstances made the defense at 112 against Martinez the most attractive spring fight Donaire could secure, which is to say isn?t wasn?t the 115-pound matchup with Fernando Montiel he was seeking when he arrived in the Philippines in December with his wife, martial arts star Rachel Marcial Donaire.
They?re a big deal in the Philippines, Donaire?s native country, where Manny Pacquiao is king and Donaire is increasingly prominent in the boxing royalty despite his California residency. He may be able to fill Quezon City?s Araneta Coliseum with 20,000-plus fanatics for the most important fight he?s ever had in his homeland.
He?s a heavy favorite to fulfill expectations. He?s still thought of as the charismatic 2007 conqueror of Vic Darchinyan, who has since become WBA, WBC and IBF champion at 115 while Donaire has had only two rather low-profile fights while changing promoters from Gary Shaw to Bob Arum. In his most recent fight, his first with Arum?s Top Rank, the last one, Donaire was barely outpointing unbeaten but untested South African Moruti Mthalane in the sixth round when he opened a cut on the challenger?s eyelid that soon ended the fight.
Because his past two fights were vaguely disappointing, some people think Nonito is getting soft. Those include his father, whose post-fight criticism led to his dismissal as trainer last November and a rift that has not been repaired. Living in connubial bliss, Nonito seems comfortable indeed, which is not what veteran fight observers like his father recommend on the eve of a big fight
Viloria?s presence in the sub main event provides a cautionary tale, which Donaire has soaked in as he and Rachel have provided hospitality for Viloria and his girlfriend Erica in Manila this week. Viloria, whose victories over Nonito and older brother Glenn Donaire at the 2000 Olympic trials are no longer an impediment to friendship, admits he went soft about a year after winning the WBC junior flyweight title in 2005. He lost twice and had a hard time getting his mojo back. The challenge to Solis (who won a one-sided decision win over Glenn Donaire in 2008) culminates Viloria?s comeback campaign. Solis is a slight favorite.
Donaire is pretty sure his own mojo is indefatigable, but there?s only one way to silence the critics. He has to beat Martinez and beat him sensationally, and that?s pretty much what he?s been promising in the build-up to the fight. As he trained with the Penalosas ? Gerry, Dodie Boy and them ? their praise for him became increasingly effusive, and Donaire has been eager to go out there and finally prove he?s all that.
Except for the Darchinyan fight, he hasn?t had enough chances to dazzle us the way many think he can, and he?s hungry for the rare opportunity. Starving, even.
