SaddoBoxing Exclusive Interview: Nonito Donaire

Click for larger image © Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

Everyone has something they wish they could do over in their life. For me, growing up I wish I would have been more interested in learning my mother’s native language of Tagalog. I can speak a few words of the dialect from the Philippines, but by no means can I come close to carrying a conversation.

This is something I should have remembered when I tried to impress “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire with my Tagalog when I met him the other day. “Kamusta ka?” I asked. He smiled and was somewhat surprised as he replied “Mabuti.” Unfortunately at that point, I had to admit I did not know much more Tagalog and he laughed, letting me know during our conversation his English is much better than my Tagalog.

Speaking English is not the only thing that Donaire does well. In a division that rarely gets attention, Donaire won the IBF and IBO Flyweight titles in stellar fashion this past July by knocking out then undefeated champion Vic Darchinyan.

Darchinyan was floored by “The Filipino Flash” and unable to recover from a left hook to the jaw. A sweet victory, considering Darchinyan had broken the jaw of Donaire’s brother Glenn, defeating him in 2006.

The Flyweight titles held by Donaire are his first foray in the 112 pound division since the year he turned professional in 2001. He has fought as high as the 122 pound super bantamweight division.

Donaire, 18-1 (11), will make his first title defense on Showtime Championship Boxing, Saturday, December 1 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. The twelve round championship bout against Luis Maldonado, 37-1-1 (28), will be the televised opener for Showtime’s triple-header also featuring championship fights with Vernon Forrest and Antonio Tarver.

I met with Donaire at the final press conference earlier this week after he had arrived straight from the airport where he and his team had come off a red-eye from the west coast. Even without any sleep, he was truly a pleasure to speak with and interview.

Saddoboxing: First of all I want to congratulate you on your stunning win against Vic Darchinyan.

Nonito Donaire: “Thank you.”

SB: What were your feelings going into a big fight like that as the underdog?

ND: “The only thing I can really remember was I just wanted to knock him out. If he hits me with something, I’m going to go right back at him. It was just an anger inside me. I did not feel anything. I did not worry about anything. All I had in my head is that I want to knock this guy out.”

SB: Why the strong feeling for the knockout; did it have anything to do with avenging your brother’s loss?

ND: “It’s a world title fight but because he did that, disrespected my family, my dad, me and he was talking all kinds of smack. For me, I didn’t say anything, I had my opinion, I wanted to check the guy out. The way they were so rude even before the fight, they invited us to their victory party. That’s why I just kept telling myself I want to knock this guy out.”

SB: Explain the feelings you went through after the fight, after the stoppage.

ND: “It was incredible; it was the greatest moment of my life. Becoming a world champion and when I hit him, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to get up. Knowing I was a world champion was an incredible feeling to achieve something that I have longed for and worked hard for ever since I was young.”

SB: Did you do anything special to celebrate? Did you invite Darchinyan to your victory party?

ND: “I wish I had that kind of ego (laughing). I just did my own thing, celebrated with my family. It was just an incredible night.”

SB: How long have you been training for Maldonado?

ND: “Honestly, they told me maybe a month and a few weeks ago. We had to rush down to the Philippines to get the weight down because it was hot over there. I have had a lot more sparring then when I fought Darchinyan.”

SB: Do you know much about Maldonado?

ND: “No, I don’t know much about him. I know he is a tough guy and has a good record. He drew with Mijares, he lost to Darchinyan. I’m just going to go in there and do my thing. Whatever he comes at me, I have a solution for it all the time. I’m always a thinking fighter more than a speedy or strong fighter. I have the gift that God blessed me with speed and power, but most of all I have the intelligence to come up with something different all the time.”

SB: Do you care to offer any predictions for the fight?

ND: “I want to take him out as early as I can. I would like to take him out before the fifth round.”

SB: You have already accomplished a lot in your short career, what else would you like to accomplish?

ND: “Well like any other fighter out there I want to be able to do the same thing at 115, 118, 122 and maybe 126. I’m a tall fighter. I fluctuate from up and down between 112 to 140 pounds, that’s the type of person I am. I’m very disciplined where it doesn’t bother me, as you can tell I’m eating, I’m eating a lot.”

SB: I saw you eating through the whole press conference (laughing).

ND: “Yeah, exactly (laughing). I know I’m going to make the weight, I’m very confident that I’m making the weight, I’m very disciplined. That’s all I need to know that I can go up to 140 but I can always go down to any weight class.”

SB: It’s been a pleasure talking to you; I appreciate your time and wish you the best of luck.

ND: “Thank you very much.”