By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa says IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is “amazing” and their training camp in the Philippine summer capital of Baguio City with an altitude of 5,100 feet has been a rewarding experience.
Penalosa who together with brothers Dodie Boy Penalosa, the former world champion and Jonathan Penalosa who was himself an accomplished fighter who regrettably quit the sport early in his career train Donaire said, “I believe in him so much. He is fantastic as a fighter.”
Penalosa, a veteran who is regarded as one of the truly great Filipino champions said Donaire endeared himself to the coaching staff because “despite his being so talented he listens” and is in many respects like Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao because he “punishes himself to the limit” in training.
Penalosa said he doesn’t believe there is any flyweight or super flyweight in the world who could stand up to Donaire who besides having speed and power “is a very intelligent fighter.”
When asked about the cocky reigning WBC/WBA/IBF super flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan as a possible future opponent of Donaire, Penalosa s said “he is nothing” compared to Donaire.
Penalosa also told us from the training camp in Baguio City that Donaire had fought Raul “The Cobra” Martinez as an amateur and beaten him although the San Antonio, Texas fighter has an unbeaten record as a pro with 14 knockouts in 24 wins and is the reigning International Boxing Association super flyweight champion who had previously won the IBA bantamweight crown.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum informed insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Martinez who is the IBF No.2 ranked super flyweight had agreed to come down to 112 pounds to challenge Donaire for the title.
Martinez dropped two decisions in three bouts during the US Olympic Trials and lost a chance for a place on the team to the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where Brian Viloria represented the US.
Donaire conceded that Martinez was a good prospect who had speed and power and that he was happy the fight was made because he would be a much better opponent than Eric Ortiz, the former world light flyweight champion who had been stopped by both Viloria and Z “The Dream” Gorres.
Doghouse Boxing has described Martinez as a “skilful boxer-puncher who has a warrior’s willingness to take on all-comers and who is always in an exciting fight.”
Martinez scored a spectacular first round KO over previously undefeated Victor Proa (26-02, 19 KO’s) last November 14 in Philadelphia. A report on the fight said Martinez “caught Proa on the ropes early on and unloaded a blinding flurry of shots, hurting him badly twice and causing Proa to sag in-between the ropes, helpless,” forcing the referee to call a halt at 1:08 of the opening round.
The blockbuster double championship which also features former world light flyweight champion Viloria taking on reigning IBF champion Ulises Solis may be moved by one week from the original March 15 date according to Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong who is working with Arum to stage the fight at the Araneta Coliseum, the acknowledged "Mecca" of Philippine sports and entertainment.
