DONAIRE TRAINING HARD AT TOP RANK GYM
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Sep 2008
IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr is currently training at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas to prepare for his November 1 title defense against South African Moruti "Babyface" Mthalane at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
In a long-distance interview yesterday, Donaire's father/trainer Nonito Sr. informed that his son will soon start sparring against fighters that manager Cameron Dunkin will fly in to help him prepare for the fight.
"Junjun (Donaire Jr) is going to spar soon. Cameron will be sending some fighters," said Donaire Sr.
The Arthro Kontra Arthritis-backed Donaire will be making the second defense of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Mthalane following his initial defense against Mexican Luis Maldonado last December.
The father-and-son tandem was originally slated to fly to Cebu to train at the ALA Gym for an October title defense in Macau, but decided to train in the US when the fight was moved to November 1 in California.
"We've already seen some of the tapes of Mthalane. He's a very tough kid. He always comes to fight. We're not taking him lightly," added Donaire Sr in an interview yesterday.
Donaire (19-1, 12 KO's) versus Mthalane (22-1, 15 KO's) will be in the undercard of the huge bout featuring the WBA/IBF welterweight showdown between Antonio Margarito against Joshua Clottey. Margarito is coming off a big win over Miguel Cotto.
Also set to see action in the card are Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Vanes Martirosyan, two of Top Rank's bigger fighters.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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