by Ronnie Nathanielsz
2012 "Fighter of the Year" Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire is revving up for his rematch with Australia's Vic Darchinyan who has been chasing a return bout ever since he was knocked out by Donaire in the 5th round and lost his IBF and IBO flyweight belts on July 7, 2007.
Well-known producer of top-class mouthguards Dr. Ed De La Vega reported that Donaire drove from his home in Las Vegas to Oxnard, California to train at the gym of 2012 "Trainer of the Year" Robert Garcia.
Accompanying Donaire was his Dad, Nonito "Dodong" Donaire Sr and promising Filipino fighter Marvin Mabait who sparred four rounds with Donaire after the four division champion did six rounds with a tough Mexican kid who trains at Garcia's gym.
Dr. De La Vega said Donaire weighed in at 131 pounds as he prepares for his ten-round debut as a featherweight.
Team Donaire is confident Nonito won't have problems making the 126 pound limit f or his showdown in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told the Manila Standard prior to his departure for Los Angeles on Monday night that the November 9 card is a blockbuster with Mikey Garcia who relinquished his WBO featherweight title moving up to face junior lightweight champion Roman "Rocky" Martinez of Puerto Rico and that Darchinyan was eager for revenge making his clash with Donaire a fight to look forward to.
Arum described Garcia as "sensational" and said his fight against the tough Puerto Rican Martinez is certain to be exciting.
Donaire flies to Corpus Christie on Saturday to join Top Rank executives in promoting the fight card at the American Bank Center
The fights will be telecast on a slightly delayed basis by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.
