DONAIRE WANTS TO BE UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Jul 2007
Newly crowned IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire wants to be “undisputed champion” of the world in the 112 pound division.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today from his home in San Leandro, California, Donaire said “I grew up believing in unifying and being undisputed." He said he grew up wanting to be the best like Sugar Ray Leonard who, during his time, wanted to be the best.
The likeable, intelligent and smart young fighter said with all modesty that he “wants to be known as the best. I want to take all the belts. I want to be undisputed champion.”
Responding to talk that former champion Vic Darchinyan whom he knocked out cold with a picture-perfect left hook in the fifth round of their title showdown in Connecticut last Sunday (Manila Time), Donaire said it depends on his manager Cameron Dunkin and promoter Gary Shaw. He said “I’ll do whatever they decide because they brought me here.” Donaire added, ”because I am a world champion doesn’t mean I am going to make my own decisions. If that’s who they want me to fight, I’ll fight that person.”
Donaire dismissed speculations from the Darchinyan camp that both fighters would move up to super flyweight for a rematch in the future saying he doesn’t plan to move back to the 115 pound limit where he was NABF champion. Donaire claimed that when he fought at 115 pounds he was “more drained than fighting at 112 basically because I worked myself hard- so hard that I wouldn’t have any problems at 112. I am confident that if I work really hard and discipline myself, 112 is not a problem at all."
Nonito’s father, Nonito Donaire Sr who has trained his son all his life was obviously proud of him saying Nonito is “a very nice kid.” He said ever since he was small "we’ve worked on his speed and his power.” These were the two factors that earned Donaire possibly the "Knockout of the Year" and the "Upset of the Year" with his sensational victory over the heavily favored Darchinyan who had never lost a fight in 28 wins with 22 KO’s and never been even knocked down.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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