By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who still retains his IBF flyweight title after relinquishing his IBO belt, moves up to 115 pounds to battle 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.

Donaire who has an impressive record of 21-1 with 14 knockouts has been eager to move up in weight since he has a hard time making the flyweight limit while Concepcion who is managed by likeable Damon de Berry of Optimum Sports Agency is comfortable at 115 and has a record of 13-3-1 with 8 knockouts.

Donaire told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports on Monday, Manila Time, that he is “a little bit happy” that he is fighting Concepcion as a super flyweight but indicated he would be happier if he could move up and fight as a bantamweight.

Donaire said he has begun training in terms of physical conditioning by running and working out at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, Los Angeles but plans to train at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach as well as in San Diego. Donaire indicated he would engage “bigger guys who can take punishment” such as featherweights who can also get back at him and make him work hard in sparring because fighters of his weight can't handle his power.

He said that Jonathan Penalosa, the brother of former two-division world champions Dodie Boy and Gerry Penalosa is with him and would be part of his team. The Penalosa brothers trained Donaire for his last IBF flyweight title defense where he dropped previously undefeated Raul “Cobra” Martinez ( 24-0, 14 KO's) four times en route to a 4th round TKO in an overpowering performance at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19.

Donaire said he was getting an undefeated Mexican featherweight with a 12-0 record to be one of his sparring partners but couldn’t recall his name. Donaire said he presently weighs around 130 pounds and believes that some day it would be “a great honor” if he could develop into a fighter like the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and move up to junior lightweight.

After watching tapes of a couple of Elorde fights, the 26 year old Donaire duplicated his moves by switching to a southpaw stance briefly in his fight against Martinez and continues to develop what he picked up from watching how Elorde moved, slipped punches and protected himself.

Donaire said he had see only a few seconds of a Concepcion tape but knows that the Panamanian who stunned AJ “Bazooka” Banal with a 10th round knockout in Cebu last year was tough and he won’t take anything for granted.

Donaire said that his training was coming along well. “So far, so good” he added.

The 27 year old Concepcion had earlier been scheduled to clash with undefeated Filipino Drian Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KO’s)  last July but the fight was postponed allegedly due to a request from the Philippine Department of Health for a delay  because of the so-called swine flu epidemic.  Francisco is now scheduled to fight on September 6 and although Concepcion is listed as the opponent, that fight will not happen.