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By Robert Morales - Nonito Donaire will be in the most important fight of his career when he challenges Fernando Montiel for his two bantamweight world championship belts on Feb. 19 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (on HBO). During a telephone interview from his training camp in San Carlos, Calif., on Tuesday, Donaire spoke about that fight and what it means to him.
Aside from all of that, Donaire wanted to make it clear that he has no problem whatsoever with countryman Manny Pacquiao. It was reported on BoxingScene.com recently that Donaire was tentatively slated to fight on the undercard of Pacquiao's fight against Antonio Margarito in November in Texas, but that he allegedly was pulled off the card at the behest of Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz.
According to Donaire, Koncz did not like it when Donaire refused to sign with Pacquiao's MP Promotions and that's why he was not allowed to fight on the aforementioned card. Koncz helps Pacquiao run his promotional company.
"He (Koncz) is disappointed in me not signing with him," said Donaire, who, like Pacquiao, fights under the Top Rank Inc. banner. "He approached me and I said no."
Donaire said he doesn't believe Pacquiao knew what was going on.
Donaire's wife, Rachel, said that they had dinner with Pacquiao's godfather, Chavit Singson, in Japan recently and that they asked Singson about it. Singson called Pacquiao and Pacquiao apparently told Singson - a politician in the Philippines - that he indeed did not know.
Therefore, Donaire said he has no beef at all with Pacquiao.
"Of course not," said Donaire, who said he will always support Pacquiao. "I have no grudge. For me, I'm here, I'm still going to fight. I'm pleased to be fighting with Montiel. I wish it was on Manny's undercard. Regardless of what goes on, the man (Pacquiao) is busy." [Click Here To Read More]
Aside from all of that, Donaire wanted to make it clear that he has no problem whatsoever with countryman Manny Pacquiao. It was reported on BoxingScene.com recently that Donaire was tentatively slated to fight on the undercard of Pacquiao's fight against Antonio Margarito in November in Texas, but that he allegedly was pulled off the card at the behest of Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz.
According to Donaire, Koncz did not like it when Donaire refused to sign with Pacquiao's MP Promotions and that's why he was not allowed to fight on the aforementioned card. Koncz helps Pacquiao run his promotional company.
"He (Koncz) is disappointed in me not signing with him," said Donaire, who, like Pacquiao, fights under the Top Rank Inc. banner. "He approached me and I said no."
Donaire said he doesn't believe Pacquiao knew what was going on.
Donaire's wife, Rachel, said that they had dinner with Pacquiao's godfather, Chavit Singson, in Japan recently and that they asked Singson about it. Singson called Pacquiao and Pacquiao apparently told Singson - a politician in the Philippines - that he indeed did not know.
Therefore, Donaire said he has no beef at all with Pacquiao.
"Of course not," said Donaire, who said he will always support Pacquiao. "I have no grudge. For me, I'm here, I'm still going to fight. I'm pleased to be fighting with Montiel. I wish it was on Manny's undercard. Regardless of what goes on, the man (Pacquiao) is busy." [Click Here To Read More]
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