By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has played down the chance of a rematch with reigning IBF/WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan saying “if Nonito had never fought Darchinyan, we’d be happy to do that fight. But he fought him and he beat him - and 99 times out of 100, if not more, he will beat him again.”
Arum would then talk about the economics or a rematch. He noted there were several worthy Mexican and Puerto Rican fighters in this weight class who really draw and have a fan base.
"[Darchinyan] can’t draw flies to a dump. Nobody gives a damn for Darchinyan. You have natural rivalries out there - (Fernando) Montiel, (Erik) Morel, the winner of that fight. There’s a whole host of Mexicans and Puerto Ricans where we can make big, big fights with much bigger money,” Arum said.
Taking a swipe at the cocky Australian, Arum said Darchinyan “is in the rear view mirror.”
He said that the last time they fought it was not close or controversial because Donaire beat Darchinyan “from the first round on.”
Donaire says he will “fight anyone” whom Top Rank promoter Bob Arum puts in front of him and insisted “I am not afraid and I will fight whoever is out there.”
Although he admitted feeling “a little nervous” because of the huge crowd and the fact that he was making his title defense before a hometown crowd for the first time, Donaire said “I had to do, what I had to do. I had a positive mentality that I could do it and I didn’t bother about anything – my legs, my hands.”
Donaire said that when his hand heals he wants to fight right away.
He explained his calm and collected disposition saying “that’s because I trained really hard for this fight and I know that I gave it all I got in training . Being here and training here made me grow up and made me become a champion because this time I wasn’t afraid of anyone.”
Donaire said that after watching our archive tape of a “Flash” Elorde fight he plans to emulate the former world junior lightweight champion. He said “I am a lot stronger with the left” even as he said that he may eventually move up to the 130 pound limit, like Elorde, “God willing.”
