DONAIRE LOOKING FOR EARLY KO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Nov 2007
IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire will be looking for an early knockout when he makes his first title defense against Mexico?s Luis Maldonado at the Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut on Sunday (Manila Time).
The champion?s father and trainer Nonito Donaire Sr told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today in an overseas telephone conversation ?we will go for an early knockout? against Maldonado who earned the title shot by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Sergio Espinoza in an IBF title eliminator last October 5.
Donaire made the statement hours before leaving for Connecticut. He said his son Nonito had ?no problems? with his weight and expects to tip the scales at 112 pounds after benefiting from excellent training at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu City.
Meantime, Mexican ring warrior Jorge Arce who may someday face Donaire in a title fight had nothing but praise for the Filipino saying ?he?s a great champion and looks
like a good fighter.
In an interview with Miguel Salazar carried by Fight Beat, Arce said Donaire was ?humble and deserves my respect. He didn?t say much. He just went in there and KO?d the big mouth Vic Darchinyan.? Arce predicted that if he gets a chance to fight Donaire ?it will be a great fight? even as he took a swipe at Darchinyan saying ?it wont be like that fight he (Donaire) had with the fraud Vic Darchinyan.?
The 25 year old Donaire scored a sensational fifth round TKO over the cocky Darchinyan last July 7 to improve his record to 18-1 with 11 knockouts. Donaire?s opponent, 29 year old Maldonado lost by an eighth round TKO to Darchinyan on June 3, 2006. It was the Mexican?s only loss in a record of 37-1-1 with 28 knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025