Donaire Back in The Gym; Trainer Eyes Summer Return
By Ryan Songalia
Pound for pound entrant Nonito Donaire Jr. has been equally adept at avoiding media attention in recent months as he has been at commanding it following his devastating second round knockout of bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in February.
The native of Bohol, Philippines now residing in Las Vegas recently resurfaced in Sin City, which was first reported by Dennis Guillermo. The former flyweight champ Donaire, 26-1 (18 KO), was spotted at the H.I.T. Factory boxing gym in Las Vegas, working the mitts with former WBA junior welterweight champion-turned-trainer Morris East.
East, who is an assistant trainer working alongside Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, is currently helping junior welterweight titlist Zab Judah prepare for his July 23 unification bout with Amir Khan, who is a sometimes sparring partner of Manny Pacquiao.
"I did pads with him today just to break a sweat," said East, a native of Olongapo, Philippines who at 19 became the youngest Filipino to win a world title.
"Zab and Nonito are buddies and I used to work in his (Nonito's) corner, so it's for old time's sake. [Nonito's] looking good, although he just came back from vacation."
Donaire has been estranged from his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc. since a failed attempt to extricate himself from his contract and sign with rival outfit Golden Boy Promotions. The rift cost him a unification bout with fellow bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno in Atlantic City this past April.
Speaking with veteran newsman Ronnie Nathanielsz, Arum was quoted saying "we are working on" resolving the situation, adding that Top Rank President Todd Duboef was in discussions with Donaire's camp.
Donaire, who currently owns the WBO and WBC 118 pound titles, also sat out most of 2008 due to issues with his promoter at the time Gary Shaw.
Perhaps Donaire being in the gym is a sign that his sabbatical from the ring is nearing its end.
Roberto Garcia, Donaire's full-time trainer, said he hadn't spoken to Donaire in several weeks but has been in contact with Donaire's manager Cameron Dunkin "everyday" to discuss the situation.
"Right now, there's no news to report on it, but we're hoping for him to be back in the ring by August or September," said Garcia, who also trains lightweight titlist Brandon Rios and Antonio Margarito.
Despite litigation and ugly exchanges between the Donaire camp and Top Rank, Garcia is confident that the two camps will come to a mutually beneficial resolution.
"I'm sure they will," Garcia said, who trains Donaire and the rest of his fighters out of Oxnard, California.
"Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe now the promoters will put more interest into his career, dedicate more time for him and everything will change. I think he's in a position right now where he can call the shots. He's had great wins and he's in a good position.
"I really believe that things are going to workout and we'll get back to work. He had a great win against Montiel and I feel it was right at that moment he should have taken advantage of it. Hopefully he'll become a superstar in the next 2-3 fights," Garcia said.
A call and email to Donaire's manager Cameron Dunkin seeking comment were not returned. An email to Donaire's wife Rachel Donaire was also not returned.
East Compares Donaire To Filipino Fighters of His Generation
Morris East didn't overstay his welcome in boxing: six years, 25 fights and retirement before his 22nd birthday in 1995. Still, East has seen his share of fighters come along in the archipelago nation of the Philippines.
East said that Donaire, who was born in Bohol but raised in San Leandro, California, is a different breed from the native born fighters he came up alongside.
"I think he's more talented and versatile," said East. "Before we only fought one way. In the Philippines, they always stressed heart and hard work, but Nonito is a smart, talented and strong overall boxer. In the Philippines before we didn't really have good trainers to train us with different strategies."
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia.
