DONAIRE READY TO FIGHT TOMORROW
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire (25-1, 17 KO?s) says he?s ?ready to fight tomorrow? and go twelve rounds if he has to, against WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando ?KO-Chulito? Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KO?s).
Donaire made the statement in an overseas telephone conversation with the Inquirer after sparring eight rounds on Thursday (Manila Time) which followed ten rounds of sparring on Tuesday at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California.
The Ring Magazine?s No. 5 ranked pound-for-pound contender behind fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao said ? If I fight tomorrow, I?m ready.?
The eagerly awaited showdown which Donaire has been chasing for almost two years will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and will be telecast ?live? over ABS-CBN channel 2. Also featured on the undercard of the Top Rank promotion of Bob Arum will be Filipino welterweight prospect Mark Jason Melligen (20-2, 14KO?s) who will clash with Gabriel Martinez (27-1-1, 14 KO?s).
Donaire said those who watched him spar against undefeated flyweight Austreberto Juarez (10-0, 2 KO?s) and Jesus Prada including his wife Rachael said he ?looked mean and scary? but he confessed ?I felt lazy. I felt like my body wouldn?t move but everybody told me it was a really good sparring session.?
Donaire said ?I just felt it was one of those days. An off-day but I looked good regardless of the off-day. They (including trainer Robert Garcia) said ?I looked strong and fast.?
The WBC Americas Intercontinental bantamweight champion said he ?wasn?t tired at all. I felt good? despite it being what he considered an off-day.
At his official day weigh in 30 days before the fight Donaire said he tipped the scales at 128 pounds after eating lasagna. He said ?the weight is very good this time around. No problem at all. Usually at this time I?m about 130 plus. This time I feel really good.
Donaire said trainer Garcia was ?in awe right now of my stamina. He is really confident of my ability. Its been good and the whole camp has been going well.?
He said Jonathan Penalosa, the brother of former two division world champions Gerry and Dodie Boy Penalosa was also part of his training team and was with him ?all the time and has been doing the punch mitts with me.?
Donaire expressed confidence that he could whip Montiel and move on in his determined quest to win five or six world titles which started off with his spectacular 5th round ?Knockout of the Year? over IBF/IBO flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007 and his recent 4th round annihilation of former world bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko.
Donaire emphasized ?there?s nobody stopping me.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026