By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire says he isn’t afraid of fighting WBC/WBA super flyweight champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan anywhere.
Donaire who was training at the Undefeated Gym in San Carlos, California when we spoke to him on Christmas Day was reacting to a statement by Darchinyan that he wanted Donaire who is the WBA Interim champion to fight him in Australia.
Prior to his sudden change of heart after he lost to Joseph Agbeko in a WBA bantamweight title fight, Darchinyan said there was no point in fighting Donaire but now he not only says he wants to avenge his embarrassing 5th round, one punch knockout in July 2007 but brags that he will knock out Donaire.
Donaire who is preparing for a fight against tough Mexican Gerson Guerrero (34-8, 26 KO’s) who won a WBC super flyweight title eliminator and the vacant North American Boxing Federation title last June 13 said that he was “pretty good now that the fight is going to happen, my mind is good.”
Donaire said “it’s hard to look beyond it” although he disclosed that they were contemplating a rematch with Darchinyan sometime in June.
Donaire said “I’ve got to get over this guy (Guerrero). I want to beat him and make the fight (against Darchinyan).
The skillful Filipino who has a record of 22-1 with 14 knockouts said he didn’t know whether his manager (Cameron Dunkin) "would agree to a fight in Australia but Donaire stressed “I’m not the type to decline a fight. I know I can take him out. I know I can beat him. I’ll fight anywhere but its not up to me. Wherever it is, I’m all for it.”
Donaire who brought former world champion Robert Garcia into his camp as one of his trainers said “he’s a great guy. I’ve known him for a long time and I need a different point of view aside from the Penalosas (former two division world champion Dodie Boy and brother Jonathan). If I need to use my power I know Robert can bring that out of me” noting what a good job Garcia did with IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria who won the title with a spectacular 11th round knockout of heavily favored .Mexican Ulises Solis at the famed Araneta Coliseum last April 19. Donaire also won by a 4th round TKO over previously undefeated Raul Martinez in the main event of that card..
Darchinyan made the statement on a rematch with Donaire in Australia following his arrival in Sydney from the United States. He claimed that "the only man close in my division is Nonito Donaire and I told him I want to fight you. Just accept my fight because you’re interim champion and you have to take the fight.”
