By Ronnie Nathanielsz

IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who is deep in training for his title defense against undefeated Raul “The “Cobra” Martinez at the Araneta Coliseum on March 22 is full of praise for the Penalosa brothers who are helping him prepare for a tough title defense.

Donaire said in an email from his Baguio City training camp that WBO champion Gerry Penalosa, former two-division champion Dodie Boy Penalosa and their brother Jonathan Penalosa “have been the greatest for me during the training camp.”

Donaire said people scared him by saying it was so cold in the Philippines summer capital which is at an altitude of 5,100 feet but he and wife Rachael who is a taekwondo champion are okay because its like the weather in San Leandro, California.

Donaire who has amazed Gerry Penalosa with his skill and punching power as well as his relentless training regimen noted that “life’s been pretty demanding and hectic since my last fight but that’s how life is.”

He said he and his wife Rachael  “enjoyed the holidays with family and new family here in the Philippines and I’ve gotten to know some great people and have picked up a new camp along the way.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum informed us some weeks ago that the title defense of Donaire had been pushed back from March 15 to the 22. The Donaire-Martinez main event is part of a championship double-header that will also feature former WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria against IBF champion Ulises Solis of Mexico.

The 27 year old Martinez of San Antonio, Texas. is undefeated with a record of 24-0 including 14 knockouts and is conceded to be a tough fighter and a worthy challenger although Donaire disclosed that he had beaten him in their only meeting as amateurs in the US Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games where Viloria was selected to represent the US.

In his last fight Martinez scored a knockout over Victor Proa (26-0, 19 KO?s) at 1:08 of the first round to retain his International Boxing Association super flyweight title last November 14.

Reporting on that fight boxing writer Jake Donovan said the battle of the unbeaten super flyweights "turned into a slaughter as Martinez needed just 68 seconds to snatch the "0" from poised Mexican banger Proa".

Donaire has described Martinez as a good fighter with speed and power and a future prospect but believes he has a decided edge over the challenger.

WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa who is training alongside Donaire in their Baguio City training camp told us that no flyweight or super flyweight in the world, including WBC/WBA and IBF champion Vic Darchinyan can beat Donaire on his present form which he said was “amazing.”

Donaire won the IBF/IBO flyweight titles with a sensational one-punch KO of Darchinyan on July 7, 2007.