by Dennis 'dSource' Guillermo
WBO and WBC bantamweight champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" is back in camp for his October 22 match-up against undefeated former WBO flyweight and super flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez (39-0-2, 19 KOs) from Argentina.
I stopped by at the Undisputed Gym recently to talk to Donaire about a couple of things, including the upcoming challenge Narvaez poses against him, and the possibility of a future challenge coming from featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa from Cuba.
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Donaire also shared how he has adapted countryman Manny Pacquiao's mentality when it comes to fighting opponents in various weights, heights and sizes. Donaire proclaimed that he is ready for all comers, for as long as they are in it for the challenge, as opposed of simply trying to get a big paycheck.
dSource - "With you promoter Bob Arum already mentioning it, what do you think about a possible match-up against Yuriorkis Gamboa in the future?"
Nonito Donaire, Jr. - "Maybe next year. I don't want to look ahead, but I think by next year, I'll be able to fight in that weight class. I always think about it like Manny (Pacquiao) thinks about it; 'it's just a street fight', that kind of mentality... you know what I mean? If you think about 'they're heavier', 'they're bigger', you've pretty much lost the fight. But if you look at it as, 'it's fair game', 'it's about what you do out there', they make the weight, they make the weight. That's how that mentality goes, and that's how Manny thinks about it. It's a fight. When you go in that ring, you never want to see how big that guy is or anything like that, because that will take you down before you even go into that ring."
dSource - "That's interesting. A lot of fight fans are actually clamoring for that fight, especially after Arum mentioned it. How do you think you match up against Gamboa?"
Nonito Donaire, Jr. - "I think that's an interesting fight. That's definitely something that I'd like to see. I like fighting good fighters out there. The Montiel fight was an incredible fight for me, and I think that Gamboa and JuanMa (Lopez) and all those guys are going to be amazing fights as well.
"What I see with Gamboa.. it's going to be power for power; speed for speed; but this time, I'm actually fighting a guy who's fast, not just someone who's trying to be fast.
dSource - "And he's pretty slick as well.."
Nonito Donaire, Jr. - "He's slick; I'm slick. It's going to be an amazing fight. I think, like with Montiel, if you do make a mistake with me, I'll make you pay for it. But I think with his speed, he'll do the same with me if I make a mistake. I can't wait to see that. I think I'm more eager for that fight than anything in that weight class. I think's that's the biggest challenge for me right now in that weight class, but for now like I said, I don't want to look ahead too much."
"It's a goal, it's a dream. I like to think about it, because for me, if I set my mind on something, I know I can do it."
