Nonito Donaire is Confident, Says Concepcion is Brave
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former IBO/IBF flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash’ Donaire who takes on Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion for the WBA super flyweight interim title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on August 15 says Concepcion is brave but that he is confident.
Donaire spoke to BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports after the luncheon press conference announcing the fight held at the Artist Hall Rooms 1 and 2 of the Convention Center at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Thursday,Manila Time.
Solar Sports will telecast the fight card titled "Pinoy Power 2" on its cable channel as well as RPN 9.
He said Concepcion was “much shorter than I thought but very brave.”
Donaire who scored a sensational 5th round one punch demolition of Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007 to win the IBO and IBF flyweight titles said Concepcion mentioned that it was his first time in Las Vegas and “no one really knows my name but on August 15 they will when I take that title belt to Panama” and that Donaire made a mistake in picking him.
Donaire responded telling us “I respect him but I didn’t pick him and I don’t care. I’ll take this fight seriously and let’s see what happens. One thing for sure I am confident of myself.”
The stylish fighter with a repertoire of punches and remarkable skill said he is reconsidering an earlier plan to train at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach. Donaire said he had spoken to IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria’s trainer Robert Garcia who told him there were a lot of sparring partners for him at the Oxnard gym also in California “so I might go out there instead and train with Brian (Viloria).”
Donaire said news of former boxing great Alexis Arguello’s death was “devastating” because he had a whole collection of the Nicaraguan world champion’s fights adding “ I remember my Dad (Nonito Donaire Sr) teaching me how to throw a hook like Arguello does.”
Donaire said he had also picked up slick defensive moves by watching fight tapes of former world junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and combining what he learned from both champions would certainly make him into a formidable opponent for any fighter including the loud-mouthed Vic Darchinyan.
Darchinyan had bragged that he would destroy Donaire in a rematch and send him into retirement. The Filipino who gave Darchinyan his only beating in the ring responded, "as always, that's nothing new. They know who to call.Talk to somebody who will make the fight happen and when the time comes we'll take care of him."
He said countryman Bernabe Concepcion who battles WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano y on the same card was “very confident” but Donaire noted that Luevano was taller than Concepcion and in addition was a good boxer who would try to keep Concepcion at a distance.
Garcia, the former world champion who trains Luevano said the challenge for him was to see how he compares with Roach who trains Concepcion. Garcia said "this is an opportunity for me to see how I compare with Roach and how well I am doing as a trainer." Garcia said one thing for sure, Concepcion "will be in top shape."
