Donaire Sr. has high hopes for Maraon against Payano this Friday
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Jun 2013
Nonito Donaire Sr. is confident of his pupil?s chances, undefeated super bantamweight Jundy Maraon, against Juan Carlos Payano in New Jersey this Friday.
The boxing trainer in an interview with Philboxing.com expressed optimism that Maraon (15-0-1, 12 KOs) will be able to assert himself against Payano (13-0, 7 KOs) who is also undefeated in the ring as a fighter.
?Malaki ang tsansa natin dito, atsaka in-shape naman din si Jundy. Matagal na din kaming nag-te-train na, palagi kaming nag-te-train kahit walang schedule,? said Donaire Sr.
(We have a good chance of winning this fight, and Jundy is in shape. We have been training for a long time even if there aren?t any fights scheduled.)
Both trainer and boxer are delighted to not only fight for a title eliminator (WBA super bantamweight) but to be featured as the headliner of ESPN?s boxing series, Friday Night Fights, which will air live at 9 pm EST on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes this coming Friday.
?Sa una lang six rounds, tapos nagkaroon ng opportunity, Biglang nagbago. So, natuwa kami dahil gusto rin natin makuha itong tsansang ito na maging eliminator si Jundy,? expressed Donaire Sr.
(At first it was just for six rounds, then it changed and we were given a better opportunity. We are happy that Jundy has a chance to fight for a title eliminator.)
Maraon will be facing the unbeaten 29 year-old Payano, who hails from the Dominican Republic at the South Mountain Arena in South Orange, New Jersey.
Donaire Sr. stated that they have viewed tapes of Payano?s previous fights and expressed that his boxer seemed to have the advantage in speed and power.
?Mas malakas at mabilis si Jundy. Marami tayong style dito na gagawin na hindi nila alam,? said Donaire Sr.
(Jundy is stronger and faster. We will utilize plenty of styles for this fight that they won?t figure out.)
He also downplayed his boxer?s nine month layoff, saying that Maraon has been keeping himself busy in the gym during that period of inactivity.
?Hindi ako naniniwala doon. Kasi mula ng dumating sa akin si Jundy, walang kaming araw, maliban Linggo, na hindi pumupunta ng gym.?
(I don?t believe in that. Because when Jundy came to me, we never missed a day in the gym, except for Sundays. )
Maraon, according to his trainer is on track to make the weight limit of 118 pounds for Thursday?s weigh-in. The boxer is currently weighing in the 120 pound range, a week before his fight, which is only two pounds above the limit.
Donaire Sr. will be joined in Maraon?s corner by his co-manager, Vince Scolpino and Arvin Jugarap. The trainer will also act as his boxer?s cut man if needed during the fight.
Team Maranon will be leaving San Leandro, California on Wednesday morning and arrived in New Jersey in the afternoon.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Jundy Maraon (L) does the mitts with Nonito Donaire Sr during a workout in Cebu City in 2009. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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