ROACH TO TRAIN DONAIRE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Dec 2008
Freddie Roach, considered a cinch for ?Trainer of the Year? honors for his remarkable work with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will soon begin to train IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire.
That?s the word from Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who has taken over Donaire?s career from promoter Gary Shaw.
The stylish flyweight who scored the ?Knockout of the Year? in 2007 when he shocked hard-hitting Australian Vic Darchinyan in the 5th round with a cracking hook, is scheduled to move up to the 115 pound limit and battle Mexico?s Fernando Montiel for the WBO title currently held by the Mexican.
Arum told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he is working together with Solar Sports to stage a championship double-header at the famed Araneta Coliseum on March 15 with former WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria clashing with IBF champion Ulises Solis for the title held by Solis.
The owner of the Araneta Coliseum, passionate boxing fan George ?Nene? Araneta who had lunch with Arum and Roach during their brief Philippine visit for the 30th birthday bash of Pacquiao in his hometown of General Santos City, said he feels Donaire ?has a lot of potential but he needs good training.? He also said Donaire needs to fight at least three times a year.
Araneta noted that Donaire was ?very bright? and had a good future if he remained a disciplined and hardworking fighter.
Donaire who is currently in Cebu told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he would ?definitely work hard and step up his game because there is no room for failure.?
Reacting to being trained by Roach, Donaire said ?that?s a great idea. He is a legendary trainer.? However, Donaire disclosed he didn?t want to upset his father who had trained him all his life and was keen on restoring his good relationship with his father, Nonito Donaire Sr., which had been regrettably soured by stories that came out in the media.
Donaire who currently weighs 127 pounds plans to return to Los Angeles after the Christmas vacation and resume training for his March title fight against Montiel.
Arum told us that right now the only fighter who ?maybe, just maybe could step up? when Pacquiao retires is Donaire. To Donaire, the Arum statement was in itself a great motivation for him to perform at the highest level even as he conceded, as he has in the past, that there was no one quite like Manny Pacquiao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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