By Ronnie Nathanielsz
IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire said yesterday he was deeply honored by the prestigious Philippine Sportswriters Association award which he will receive on February 20.
Donaire who expects to return to Manila from his training camp in Baguio City in the next couple of days said he will join WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa who will fly to Cebu to wind down training for his February 21 tune-up fight against Mexico’s German Merza at the Cebu Coliseum.
Speaking about the major award for professional boxing to be bestowed on him at the PSA Annual Awards Night at the Manila Pavilion Hotel, Donaire said “its an honor to be recognized alongside Manny Pacquiao and all other greats” in sports. It will be the second time Donaire will be honored by the PSA.
Donaire (20-1, 13 KO’s) said his training in Baguio with the Penalosa brothers, Gerry former world champion Dodie Boy and one-time prospect Jonathan has been “very, very good. My stamina and everything else is excellent and in fact I am ahead of schedule” in terms of preparation for his March 22 title defense against undefeated Mexican Raul “The Cobra” Martinez (24-0, 14 KO’s) at the Araneta Coliseum, the “Mecca” of Philippine sports and entertainment.
Donaire has been sparring at his high altitude (5,100 feet) training camp with Marvin Tampus and Rodolfo Sumabong.
He said he’s receive a tape of Martinez’ fights sometime this week but recalled that he had beaten him as an amateur in the national championships of the United States some years ago.
However, Donaire said “that’s an old story. Its now a different ballgame” and said he is sure that Martinez had improved and his style would be different.
