DONAIRE PICKS PENALOSA TO TRAIN HIM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Dec 2008
IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire has picked reigning WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa to train him for his planned March title fight against WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico.
Donaire told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he had discussed plans with Penalosa because he would like to train in the Philippines since the Montiel fight is going to be held at the Araneta Coliseum in a promotion handled by Top Rank?s Bob Arum in partnership with Solar Sports.
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach had earlier expressed interest in training Donaire according to Arum and Donaire?s initial reaction was positive. He said ?that?s a great idea. He is a legendary trainer.?
However, Donaire indicated that while he had ?such respect for Freddie Roach? he felt that the choice of Roach may hurt his already soured relations with his father and former trainer Nonito Donaire Sr just when he said he is ?trying to better our relationship? which was affected by stories in the media.
Donaire said that under the circumstances he believes the best person to train him would be Penalosa who himself is training for a mandatory title defense against former WBA flyweight and WBO super flyweight champion Eric Morel sometime in April.
Donaire added, ?since I?ll be fighting here, I?d like to also train out here.?
Both Nonito and his wife Rachael were given the keys to the City of Manila by Mayor Alfredo Lim in a colorful ceremony on Monday morning. Rachael Donaire, the former Rachael Marcial, was a taekwondo champion.
Donaire said he enjoyed the affair which also had the customary brass band and a number of people. He said ?it was really nice.?
The March blockbuster card will also feature an IBF light flyweight title fight between champion Ulises Solis of Mexico and former world champion Brian Viloria, the Hawaii-based Filipino who lost the title to Omar Nino Romero.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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