by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire plans to split his training camp for his next fight scheduled for late October or early November between Las Vegas, the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California and the Oxnard Gym where trainer Robert Garcia trains his fighters including younger brother and world champion Mikey Garcia and Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios among others.
Donaire said he needs to train at Oxnard because “I need to have Robert there” as he steps up his training for his next fight following his stunning loss to former Cuban two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux last April 13 in New York.
In the past while Donaire trained at the Undisputed Gym, Garcia would drive down once a week to check on how training was going and the consensus was that it was not good enough.
Donaire was unfortunately caught up in a controversy not of his own making which claimed he would help Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios during his training for a November 24 showdown with eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao after Garcia told boxingscene.com Nonito wouldn’t spar with Rios who is too big and also that Donaire is not a southpaw but would probably give Rios some advice. Donaire flatly denied he would help Rios.
Donaire told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that right now his attention is focused on his son Jarel who, he said, “is keeping me awake.”
He said “I’m baby-sitting and doing everything” although he is able to do some light workouts to stay in shape.
Donaire said he hasn’t spoken to his manager Cameron Dunkin about his next fight and although a return bout with three-division world champion Vic Darchinyan has been mentioned by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, he indicated there’s nothing definite.
The former WBO/Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion told the Manila Standard he was walking around at around 140 pounds right now and coming down to 122 would be difficult and he would rather fight at the featherweight limit of 126 pounds.
