12 Rounds with Nonito Donaire, Jr.
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jul 2012
Fremont, California (Wed, 04 Jul 2012) ? A boxer is only as good as his last fight. For Nonito ?Filipino Flash? Donaire, Jr., the best is yet to come as he awaits his super-bantamweight unification bout against Jeffery ?Mongoose? Mathebula of South Africa. The sizzler is presented by Bob Arum & Top Rank this July 7th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
?Would you have time for Nonito?s interview?? asked Gilbert Martinez of Team Donaire via cell during my work break last Sunday.
Here goes 12 minutes equaling 12 Q&A boxing rounds with Donaire, Jr. as he shares candid thoughts on how to clean up and then electrify boxing?even submitting to 24/7/365 year-round random drug testing.
?Sigurado? Maraming dugo at ihi yan. (Are you sure? That?s a lot of blood and piss),? I quipped. Prior to the call, I had just done a diagnostic test called arterial blood gas sampling and oximetry in the ICU.
?You?re Hermie?s son. I remember. I just saw him in Vegas with Bob Arum,? recalled Nonito, Jr. after my self-intro. (The pic was taken in Vegas 2009, Pacquiao-TKO12-Cotto).
Here?s the transcript on my queries.
1.PHILBOXING: You alluded to having been diagnosed with asthma---a medical condition that afflicts millions. World class-athletes don?t usually talk about this. How do you cope?
FLASH DONAIRE: I try to keep a healthy lifestyle with good diet and exercise. We can?t change our genes, but we can sure improve our health by not smoking or doing drugs. I don?t let asthma deter me in any way. I would recommend physical activity for everyone.
2.PHILBOXING: You?ve turned the tables on the neighborhood bullies?
FLASH DONAIRE: Some people just didn?t have anything better to do. I figure no one can help me but myself. So my brother Glenn and I turned to boxing not just to get fit but also to defend ourselves. It?s all about heart. And I think we did good.
3.PHILBOXING: The Filipino adage goes, "Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa kanyang paroroonan." In boxing, who have influenced you the most and where do you see yourself after all is said and done?
FLASH DONAIRE: The biggest influence is Mr. Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde who paved the way. I learned from everyone, particularly Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. Of course there?s Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao, Luisito ?Lindol? Espinosa, the Penalosa brothers Gerry and Dodie Boy. I?m a student of the sweet science. I see myself succeeding in more weight divisions.
4.PHILBOXING: There has never been an Olympic gold medallist from the Philippines. I think we?ve had 2 silvers and 3 bronzes in boxing since the 1928 Amsterdam games. Why do you suppose?
FLASH DONAIRE: The original amateur boxing powerhouses USA and Cuba have that same golden problem. The Europeans have caught on. We may not be able to re-write the past, but maybe we can discover future Pinoy champs with grass-roots programs.
5.PHILBOXING: What have you done differently to prepare for a bigger, taller opponent like Mathebula? Will it pose any problems?
FLASH DONAIRE: Plyometrics for explosiveness, weight training for mass and strength, high-altitude simulation for endurance. Mathebula is my biggest, tallest opponent, thus far. Very dangerous. I chose him to bring out the best in me. I?m not worried about him as much as my preparation. I know what I have to do.
6.PHILBOXING: Tell us about your punch mitt routine with Morris East (former 140 lb WBA champ).
FLASH DONAIRE: Morris has been a great addition to the team. He?s still very agile even if he?s now a heavyweight. LOL.
7.PHILBOXING: Have you carried your strength well as you moved up in weight?
FLASH DONAIRE: I feel stronger though I still looked pretty small at 122 pounds against Vasquez. I recommend talking to Fernando Montiel about the strength part.
8.PHILBOXING: Why did you choose to train at Undisputed Gym instead of Las Vegas or Oxnard?
FLASH DONAIRE: There?s no place like home. I feel that I have everything I need here in the Bay Area.
9.PHILBOXING: Great fighters define their careers through rematches and trilogies. Who would you like to fight again? Or multiple times in the future?
FLASH DONAIRE: I cannot overlook my opponent this Saturday. I?ll fight anyone under 135 pounds.
10.PHILBOXING: You?re obviously nimble. Ever take up dancing with your wife or consider DWTS?
FLASH DONAIRE: I think I?m on you tube busting a move. Maybe later.
11.PHILBOXING: Any hobbies when not boxing?
FLASH DONAIRE: Photography
12.PHILBOXING: The customary ?? Any predictions?
FLASH DONAIRE: I?d rather let my fists do the talking. Come join us for a great night of boxing at the Home Depot, Carson City this Saturday July 7th.
Notes: Happy 4th of July 2012!
Thanks to Gilbert Martinez for arranging this interview with Nonito ?Filipino Flash? Donaire, Jr.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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