By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire says he is “ready to go” when he faces Panama’s gutsy Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion for the WBA junior bantamweight/super flyweight interim title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, Manila Time.
In a conversation from Las Vegas where he is winding down his training for the fight, Donaire said he believes he has the two biggest assets which Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has, which is speed and power.
Donaire said “my power, my speed and I think I am more experienced than this kid” indicating that these will be the key factors in his quest for a world title at a higher weight division of 115 pounds.
The flashy Filipino conceded that Concepcion is “gutsy and tough” but said that if he leaves himself open and he gets a chance to take him out, he will.
Donaire said he is around three pounds over the 115 pound limit but is “feeling good, in good shape and ready to go.”
He also indicated that he hasn’t done too much sparring because his main focus is to be in good physical condition and to be sharp.
Donaire who is considered the next big name in Philippine boxing after Pacquiao has been training with former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa and his brother Jonathan for almost two months and will showcase some of his skills in a media workout he will host on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas.
Concepcion, on the other hand, will hold his own workout and media session at 12 noon.
Donaire (21-1, 14 KO’s) is coming off a rousing 4th round TKO victory over previously undefeated Raul “Cobra” Martinez at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19 and will lead a roster of emerging Filipino champions in the Top Rank fight card appropriately titled “Pinoy Power 2.”
Concepcion (13-3-1, 8 KO’s) biggest win was a stunning 10th round knockout over world rated AJ “Bazooka” Banal in a WBA interim super flyweight title fight in 2008 but subsequently lost the title to Mexican warrior Jorge Arce in a furious battle which showed how game a fighter the Panamanian is.
Also highlighting the exciting card to be telecast in the Philippines by Solar Sports and GMA 7 will be the WBO featherweight title fight between Steven Luevano (36-1-1, 15 KO’s), a skilled boxer who will defend his crown against the Philippines hard-hitting mandatory challenger Bernabe Concepcion (29-1-1, 16 KO’s).
Promising Filipino welterweight, southpaw Mark Jason Melligen (15-1-1, 11 KO’s) faces a big test when he takes on power-punching 5’11” Mexican Michel Rosales who has 21 knockouts in 24 wins with 3 losses, in a ten-round bout that promises to be a war.
