FORMER SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMP MORRIS EAST IS HAPPY TO BE A PART OF VICTORIOUS TEAM DONAIRE
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Oct 2011
New York - Morris East was a happy camper last Saturday night after his ward, Nonito Donaire successfully defended his pair of bantamweight belts against Omar Andres Narvaez at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
"Ayos Pare; Masaya sa panalo ni Jun Jun," (I am good; I am happy with Jun Jun's win.) said the former super lightweight champion turned trainer.
"Gusto talaga ni Jun Jun I-knockout pero ayaw sumabay ni Narvaez." (Jun Jun really wants to knockout him out but Narvaez won't fight).
He criticized the Argentinean for not putting up a fight and running around instead. "Puro takbo Pare," (All he did is run.) he described of Narvaez's performance when I talked to him after the fight. East shared the frustrations that his ward had after the 12 round fight. "Nagagalit talaga si Donaire. Gusto niya knockout eh para maganda resulta." (Donaire is really mad, He wants to impress everyone with a knockout.)
Nonito Donaire Jr. was critical of his opponent last Saturday and he expressed that clearly. "He did not come here to fight," said Donaire. "He just came here to collect his check," he added of Narvaez who seemed content on clamping himself up and moving around the ring the whole night. Despite that, Donaire fashioned out a shutout win on all judge's scorecards last Saturday. It was far though from what everyone expected him to do and accomplish. The bar was set high for Donaire after his picture perfect knockout of Fernando Montiel last February. He was expected to deliver a knockout last Saturday but that did not come for Donaire.
I asked East what could have Donaire done differently, he said he could have jabbed more in the fight. "Double jab, double jab, double jab," he said. "Mababa yun eh, Pino-Focus nya yung left hook. Hindi niya maano kasi mababa yun eh," (Narvaez is short, Donaire is focusing on his left hook but he can't catch him because he is short) opined East. It did not help also that Narvaez tip toed inside the ring like a ballerina and dart in and out of Donaire's reach. "Ibinababa na nga ni Jun Jun eh," (Jun Jun is dropping.) referring to Donaire's hands. "Pero ayaw talaga pumasok eh," (But Narvaez does not want to attack and engaged.) said East.
This is Morris East's second tour of duty with the champ. He is both grateful and happy to be part of Team Donaire. He described the experience as great and praised Donaire for being such an easy guy to work with in camp. "Pare, maganda, magaan, maayos ang lahat," (The camp was great, easy and smooth.) he expressed. He described Donaire as a very smart and skillful fighter who will enjoy more success in the years to come.
Morris East is hoping to have another chance of working again with the champ in the future. "Nasa sa kanya yun, kung mabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon uli," (It is up to Donaire to give me the opportunity.) "Si Lord na bahala. Kung para sa atin, para sa atin. Kung hindi para sa atin, hindi para sa atin," (It is up to God. If it is meant to be, it's meant to be. If it's not meant for us, it's not for us) East exclaimed.
Morris East flew back home to Las Vegas last Sunday ahead of the Donaires. He said he will be back in the gym Tuesday, to train with another fighter of his. He also trains former undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah who will be starting his gym work soon for an upcoming fight on a yet to be named opponent. Indeed the future looks bright not only for Donaire but for Morris East as well.
Top photo: Morris East (R) does the mitts with Nonito Donaire Jr. Photo by Rich Mazon.
East (L) poses with the author. Photo by Rob Cruz.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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