DONAIRE US-BOUND AFTER CEBU TRAINING
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Nov 2007
World flyweight champion Nonito Donaire is set to touch down in San Francisco today after more than a month of training at the famed ALA Gym of Cebu, ready and primed up to defend his IBF and IBO flyweight crowns against Mexico's Luis Maldonado.
Donaire versus Maldonado will take place at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
The Arthro Kontra Arthritis-sponsored Donaire reported to the ALA Gym last Friday, hitting the mitts for fourteen rounds before the usual skipping rope and other abdominal exercises.
After the two-hour workout, Donaire then treated the young fighters at the gym to a merienda, after which the young boys bade farewell to their "Idol".
Donaire and his trainer-father Nonito Sr flew to Manila yesterday morning, and was met at the airport by Ringside Gym's Charlie Gamboa who brought them for an afternoon workout at one of the gym's Manila branches.
"He hit the mitts and the bags, and went inside the sauna," reported Donaire Sr, who said his son has been hovering around the 118-lb backyard after coming at just 113-lbs last week.
"We're just about in perfect weight. We have silenced critics who said that we won't be able to make weight," said Donaire Sr.
While in Cebu, Donaire sparred some 60 rounds against RP champs Rocky Fuentes and Michael Domingo, as well as young fighters Louie Bantigue, Reman Salim and Weng Haya.
"I will have very good memories of Cebu. I really had a great training camp. This is where I will hold my future camps for future fights," said Donaire, who is set to return in January for his next fight.
Top photo: World flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr (right) and his dad Nonito Sr pose for one last time wearing their team jacket before flying to the US.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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