Marvin ?Good Boy? Mabait Comes to America
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Sep 2013
Filipino bantamweight Marvin Mabait arrived last week in the Land of Milk and Honey with hopes of finding his own version of The American Dream.
The 25 year old from Zamboanga City hooked up with trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. in San Francisco at the Kennel Gym and wasted no time acclimating to his new environment. Mabait was still feeling the discomfort of jet lag but that did not prevent him from training the very next day after his arrival in the States.
Not only was he training and getting conditioned, he was already sparring in only his second day in America and getting used to the style of his new trainer.
?Nung una nahirapan pa kami kasi iba ang training style ni Coach Carl (Penalosa) sa tinuturo ni Coach Donaire. Pero ngayon medyo nakukuha ko na ang turo nya, iniimprove nya lalo ang power ko,? Mabait said in an interview with this writer.
(It was hard at first because Coach Donaire?s style is different from the training style of Coach Carl Penalosa (his trainer in the Philippines). But I am getting used to his teachings now. He wanted to improve on my power.)
The young fighter is not only appreciative of Donaire Sr. as his trainer but also is thankful of his assistance in his first few days in America, helping him with the little things outside of boxing.
?Pag sa labas naman ng gym wala na ko masabi sa pag alaga niya sa akin, lagi nga ako sinusundo dito sa bahay para mag jogging at pumunta sa gym at lagi niya ako sinasamahan mamili ng mga kailangan ko. Maalaga si coach sa akin hindi niya ako pinapabayaan dito.?
(I have nothing to say about his treatment of me outside of the gym. He would pick me up at my house when it is time to jog and to go to the gym and he would accompany me in buying the things that I need here. Coach takes good care of me here.)
Donaire Sr. who is fondly called ?Senior? told Philboxing.com that his new pupil is doing well in his early stage of training here and is adapting to his instructions.
?He is doing fine. We just have some adjustment. The first two days he was adjusting his timing. My style is speed and power and he is picking up,? Donaire Sr. informed this site.
Mabait is looking forward to his US debut which according to his handlers here in the States could come as early as next month, probably in mid-October. He promised to work really hard and make the most of this opportunity that was given to him here.
?Pagsisikapan ko talaga dito, lalo na sa darating kong laban.?
(I will really work hard and strive to give my best here, especially on my next fight.)
Marvin Mabait?s alias is the ?Chavacano Disaster? but his personality, demeanor and his last name (?Mabait? means good, kind in English) begs for a more fitting nickname for this soft spoken boxer.
?How about Good Boy?? I asked him, he laughed and replied, ?Apelyido ko po yan sir eh.? (That is my last name sir.)
?Kayo po ang bahala sir, kahit anu po okay lang.? (It?s all up to you sir, any nickname will do.) Mabait added.
Coach Donaire Sr. is in agreement, ?Mabait na, Good Boy pa.? (He is not only Mabait, he is also now a Good Boy).
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Photo: Marvin Mabait (R) and Nonito Donaire, Sr.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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