Exclusive Boxing Interview: Nonito Donaire

Considered as one of the top prospects in the super flyweight division, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr., 17-1 (10), prepares for a move to flyweight to challenge Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, 28-0 (22), for his IBF and IBO world championship belts.

Donaire, born in General Santos City, Philippines (the current hometown of Filipino phenomenon Manny Pacquiao), presently fights out of San Leandro, California. A solid contender at 115 pounds, ranked at #8 by the IBF, #7 by the WBA and #6 by the WBO, Donaire earned the opportunity to challenge for the flyweight championship after a dominating 1st round stoppage of the usually durable Kevin Hudgins on May 12.

In addition to the belts at stake, the bout has developed into a revenge match as a result Darchinyan’s defeat of Glenn Donaire, Nonito’s brother, by technical decision just nine months ago. The outcome of the bout left both fighters wanting more. While Nonito would certainly get a measure of satisfaction in taking the championship from the man who beat his brother, Darchinyan feels that this is an opportunity to gain the knockout he rightfully deserved, but was denied, when a referee’s ruling determined that they go to the scorecards.

Nonito, considered by most to be the faster, stronger and more skilled of the brothers, should provide a tougher test for Darchinyan. If it will be enough for Nonito to take Darchinyan’s belts, or even provide a different outcome than that of his brother’s, is the challenge he’s faced with.

The bout is to be televised from the Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut this Saturday July 7, 2007 on Showtime’s Championship Boxing at 9ET/6PT.

Earlier this week, SaddoBoxing had an opportunity to speak with Nonito about his thoughts on Darchinyan, his upcoming bout and his world title hopes.

SaddoBoxing: You have been preparing for your world championship bout this weekend in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Has your training gone well? How do you feel?

Nonito Danaire Jr.: “I feel good. I’ve never been this much prepared, you know, in my boxing career, I’ve never been this much prepared. I’m ready for this fight and I’m in the best shape of my life right now so yeah, I’m good. I’m ready.”

SB: You will be fighting Vic Darchinyan for his IBF and IBO Flyweight belts. How would you describe him as a fighter and a champion?

ND: “I think he’s over-rated. He has a lot of openings and he’s beatable. He’s very vulnerable for a lot of punches and I think I can hit him a lot and that’s how I need to beat him.”

SB: Darchinyan has shown very good power at 112 pounds, and has made no secret of his desire to beat you by knockout. How do you expect him to fight you and do you think his power will be a problem?

ND: “Well, you know the great Sugar Ray Leonard with Hagler or Duran, if you can’t hit your target, what’s the point? You know, he can have the greatest power in the world, but if you can’t hit your target then there’s really no sense in it. So to me, I don’t think it’s a factor. I’ve fought bigger guys before. If I was fighting at 112, I could have done the same thing to my opponents, knock them out, and I feel like I can knock him out – or anybody at 112 right now. So that’s his opinion that he’ll knock me out, but it’s my opinion that I can knock him out.”

SB: You have been fighting as a super flyweight and are coming down to flyweight for this contest. How do you feel at 112, and do you think that it could be an advantage?

ND: “I think it’s an advantage. I’m so used to fighting bigger guys and I can take their punches, but I’m so used to seeing a bigger fighter in front of me and now I see someone who’s a little bit smaller than me, it’s an advantage. I mean just physically and mentally to come into the ring knowing that this is a world championship fight, I’m going to go at it and give it all I got. It’s an advantage.”

SB: How do you feel you’ll be most effective against him?

NB: “It depends what he brings inside the ring. Whatever benefits me, that’s how I’m going to fight. If I can take him out, then I’ll take him out. I know I have the power to do it. If I have to box him I will box him. So however he comes at me, I have a plan to take whatever he brings to the table.”

SB: Any predictions on the outcome?

ND: “I’m planning on going for an early knockout, but if it doesn’t happen I know I can outbox him, no matter what.”

SB: Just nine months ago Darchinyan defeated your brother in a technical decision. Early on, you expressed interest in avenging that defeat on your brother’s behalf, however, you have recently been downplaying that aspect. How much of your motivation is revenge, and how much of it is the pure desire to become world champion?

ND: “I think it’s more the pure desire to become world champion. That’s what I’ve been working for all my life, to give my family whatever they need to enjoy life. So I’m hoping I can help all the people who have helped my out since day one, especially my mom, my dad. I know that with the opportunity to become world champion, the doors are open for me to do anything and I know that I can help my parents out that way. It’s more about becoming world champion and proving to everyone I’m the best and that I can be something.”

SB: While you have won your last 16 bouts, and despite a strong amateur career, at age 24 and with only 18 professional fights, some see your relative lack of experience as an issue. Are you prepared to be world champion? Where is there still room for improvement?

ND: “There’s always room for improvement, but I feel that I’m a veteran. Although I haven’t fought much compared to a lot of fighters out there, mentally, I’m smart. Mentally, I know what it takes and I’m willing to give it all and do whatever it takes to get that title. I’m going to give it all I got, and with the pure desire of it, I’m half way there. My determination for it is very strong and that desire alone is enough to overcome experience.”

SB: What does it mean to you to be in a featured bout on Showtime’s Championship Boxing?

ND: It’s not so much. I don’t care much about anywhere or anything like that, it’s just about my desire to fight for the world title and this opportunity is great…you know, it’s overwhelming. I’m willing to take anything. I’ll fight anywhere, anybody for a title, even if it wasn’t Showtime or anything like that. But it’s great that it’s on Showtime so everybody can see me and it’s a pleasure, a real pleasure and opportunity.”

SB: For many boxing fans, this match will be their first opportunity to see you in action. What do you want people to be saying about you after this bout?

ND: “I want them to say that, wow this kid is great. Wow this kid is fast. Wow this kid is strong. Wow this kid is something and I want to see more of him. I want people to see me that way and I’m going to try my best for that to happen.”

SB: What are your goals looking forward?

ND: “First things first, you know. I want to take this guy out first. Take his belt and become world champion and prove to everybody that I’m the best, and hopefully, like his dream, like everybody’s dream, to keep winning. That’s the thing about a lot of fighters, especially me.”

SB: Thank you very much for your time Nonito. I wish you the best of luck on Saturday.

ND: “Thank you very much. Thank you.”