Donaire: “I’m Going to Hit Him as Hard as I Can”

NONITO DONAIRE

With Donaire Trainer Robert Garcia and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum

CONFERENCE CALL TRANSCRIPT

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

BOB ARUM:  This fight between Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel everybody who follows boxing knows it will be a great fight.  They will face off at the Mandalay Bay of February 19.  The interesting thing for me about this fight – the countries where these fighters come from…the Philippines and Mexico – there is almost frenzy about this fight.  I was informed last night that in the Philippines there are two one-hour specials promoting the fight and they are expecting a huge audience on Sunday morning, which is their time equivalent of when the fight will be aired.  In Mexico there is tremendous anticipation and great media coverage.  The Mexican TV network, TV Azteca is expecting another tremendous rating for this fight.  It is my hope that the enthusiasm that is coming from The Philippines and Mexico permeates in the United States, that people that follow boxing and casual sports fans watch this fight on HBO because it truly will be a fight for the sport of boxing.  It is accompanied by a great fight, a rematch between Jesus Soto Karass of Los Mochis, Mexico and Mike Jones of Philadelphia.  I am proud that Top Rank can present such a splendid card and thanks to the two fight camps that are willing to engage in this climactic battle. 

CAMERIN DUNKIN:  This is a tremendous fight and what Nonito has worked for his entire career.  I am so proud of everybody for putting this thing together.  I want to thank Bob for holding this together and pulling together the Anaheim fight.  We are so thankful and don’t miss it.  It’s going to be a great fight.

ROBERT GARCIA:  I am happy to be a part of this big fight.  It’s the first big fight of the year in Vegas and Nonito is in tremendous shape and I am happy to be a part of his team.

BOB ARUM:  The face of boxing today is Manny Pacquiao and he comes for the Philippines.  But right behind him in the Philippines is a man who comes from the same city as Pacquiao, General Santos and is becoming more and more endeared to the Philippine fans.  There is tremendous excitement for his fight on the 19^th.  He’s a great fighter, a tremendous technician and a hard puncher.  It is a pleasure to introduce the champion – both guys are champions – Nonito Donaire.

NONITO DONAIRE:  Thank you Bob for making this fight happen.  This fight is going to be an incredible fight.  I have great people around me and I’m training very hard for this fight and I’m really ready.  Robert Garcia has been in my corner.  This is an all-or-nothing fight that no one can miss.  It’s a great card and you have two guys in the main event that are willing to give everything.  This is a fight that’s not going to last the whole 12-rounds. 

How are you handling the move up in weight?

NONITO DONAIRE:   In the last fight with Sydorenko I felt stronger and faster.  Mainly in the last two weeks I’m cutting down, actually three weeks I am focusing on cutting down but this time we are focusing on strategic moves and not having to worry about the weight too much.  Like Manny Pacquiao going up in weight – he feels very comfortable.  I feel strong.  I look bigger and the speed is still there.

I was 10-years-old when I moved to the United States. 

 

Do you feel you should have moved to bantamweight a few fights ago because you looked so strong?

NONITO DONAIRE:  It was a learning experience on my part, being a man of my word waiting for the rematch with Darchinyan.  I stayed around quite a bit.  I learned that I don’t have time to wait for one guy; there are plenty of fighters out there.  That’s what I should focus on.  I am trying to seize these moments, like this fight with Montiel.  I need to make things happen and not wait around. 

Is your goal to go to higher weight classes to keep winning titles?

NONITO DONAIRE:  I think so.  For me it keeps me going and keeps me motivated.  It keeps me hungry to fight better opposition.  I am mentally prepared because of it.  Right now I am not even touching the weights and I am blowing up to 135 if I don’t take care of myself for even just a few days.  I think I can fight as heavy as 130 or 135 because of how much bigger I have become.

How much does Manny inspire you?

NONITO DONAIRE:  He is definitely an inspiration in my career.  In inspiration in boxing and how I want to be.  I am inspired to see no impossibility.  To get to 130 or even more.  To keep going.  That’s what he wants me to do, keep moving my feet to see how far I can go.

Does the weight and experience give him an advantage?

NONITO DONAIRE:  It does give him advantage.  He knows the ring well.  His advantage is height and speed.  I think I am more of a better strategist than Montiel is.  Everybody has their flaws and strengths and Montiel’s strength is experience but I also have my strengths.  His other strength is his ability to adapt to styles – he can be versatile.  He has a tremendous punch – a good body punch.  But in terms of strength – I have it.  In terms of experience – he does, but I have fought enough guys to say I do also.  He has a good punch, but I also have that. 

How have you improved your strength at the higher weight?

NONITO DONAIRE:  I am naturally strong and naturally fast.  I get in tremendous shape.  I have a guy that strengthens my legs and a guy that strengthens my core.  People making sure I and eating the right foods and Victor Conte and the main guy behind me is Robert Garcia.  I have different aspects of healing my body and strengthening my body and that’s how I know I am 200% ready for the fight.

How often do you get back to the Philippines?

NONITO DONAIRE:   I usually go back there after every fight to say thank you for all the support you have given me.  The people have received me very well.  They have noticed what I have done for boxing and the country.  They are very warm to me and it is a blessing. 

Can you tell us why you say this will be your last fight at bantamweight?

NONITO DONAIRE:   That depends on my manager and promoter.  I would rather see myself become undisputed world champion.  There is also a chance in the 122-pound division and I am willing to move up.  I could be the first undisputed world champion from Asia.  I trust Cameron Dunkin’s decision to lead me n the right path.  After Montiel I will have two belts with one more to go to accomplish the dream I have wanted since I was a young boy. 

What will this fight do for your stature?

NONITO DONAIRE:   I think Montiel is the most complete fighter I will have faced.  This is the biggest fight of my career.  Montiel has been there for quite a while.  People say he may be shot because he has been fighting for such a long time, but no, he has been fighting guys at the top of his weight class.  I know he is up there and capable of anything.  I am training as hard as I can too see how I can take advantage of Montiel.  He has a lot to offer in this fight. 

This is going to be more of a strategic fight.  He’s the smartest guy I have ever faced.  I have faced tougher guys than that.  As far as the smartest I would say he is the most strategic overall fighter I will have faced.  It’s going to be a long fight.  One mistake from me or one mistake from him and it’s going to be over.  He may come out of there unscratched but it won’t last 12-rounds.

What will this victory mean to you?

NONITO DONAIRE:   My marketability will skyrocket.  My name will get bigger and I will get bigger fights.  People will come after me because that’s what happens when you’re on top.  My name is in the top pound-for-pound lists and no one can take that away from me after I beat Montiel. 

Why do you think your career has been slow to develop after the Darchinyan fight?

NONITO DONAIRE:   Everybody was shocked.  The whole world was shocked.  Promoters were shocked.  People wondered if it was a fluke or not but I have been fighting and every guys they have put in front of me I have defeated.  This is the opportunity I have gotten since I am on top and I am very grateful for it.  Now I have to make it happen.  I do have the talent and I make it exciting for everybody. 

Are you friends with Montiel?

NONITO DONAIRE:   When I fought for the NABF title we were friends and trained together before we turned pro.  That taught me a lot.  This time I know how it feels.  When you are in there, there is no one else but you and your opponent.  That person in front of you is a wall you need to jump over.  That’s the way it is with Montiel regardless if he is a friend on mine.  I’m going to go over there and tear his head off.

If successful, what is next?

BOB ARUM:   Like always we will sit down with Camerin and Nonito and discuss the so many great options.  To stay at bantamweight and fight the winner of Mares and Agbeko or off to 122 – we have two 122 pound champions – Stevie Molitor and Miguel Vazquez from Puerto Rico and he’s going to keep moving up in weight.  We have killer featherweights – Juan Manuel Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa.  We have fighters for him to fight to make exceptional fights, all the way up through 135.  On the Pacquiao card we have Soto against Antillon – a fight-of-the-year rematch and Brandon Rios is going for a title on Showtime on Feb. 26.  So there is plenty of great competition for him.

Do you think you have the opponents to make Nonito a superstar such as you did with Pacquiao?

NONITO DONAIRE:   A promoter’s dream is that you get a fighter to be successful as someone that has now become the face of boxing – Manny Pacquiao.  I will be very happy if Nonito Donaire continues to win and beats all the top fighters and reaches the prominent position he is capable of.  You couldn’t duplicate Ali and you couldn’t duplicate Sugar Ray Leonard…you can’t duplicate but you forge your own story and that’s what Nonito is in the process of doing – whether it resonates as much as Pacquiao or Leonard or one of these other guys – that remains to be seen.  He is trying to create a great story for himself and his career.

Mark Melligen/Photo by Chris Cozzone.

Is Nonito ready to handle the attention?

CAMERIN DUNKIN:  He walked in against Darchinyan and no one gave him a chance and even his promoter didn’t give him a shot in hell to win that fight.  He shocked the world and was winning every round pretty easy and then he destroyed him.  SO he has had his back against the wall before.  He’s had a great amateur career and has continued to get better and better.  I think it’s his time.  He’s not a young guy as far as the lighter guys go but he is still young and healthy because he hasn’t had those hard fights.  He is the best he can be and I see him doing unbelievable things in boxing starting right here.  He is very levelheaded, all he does is train and sometimes Robert calls me and says he trains too much.  It’s his time and this is what he really wants in his life.

How did you and Montiel become friends?

NONITO DONAIRE:   We have respect for each other; I think that’s what it is.  We see each other at fights and who our respect and it turned into a friendship.  It wasn’t just Hi, it was how you doing and we talked about fighting each other, but in a friendly way. 

Do you need to or will it be hard to develop a hatred for this opponent?

NONITO DONAIRE:   When I spar I don’t hate those guys but I hit them as hard as I can.  It’s going to be in that same fashion where I look up at him and my hands are strong and I’m going to hit him as hard as I can.  Right now I have the right guys behind me.  Robert inspires me to be more confident.  He gives me heart and energy that I need to fight.  Like a Pacquiao heart or if you are Mexican he gives you Mexican balls.

ROBERT GARCIA:   This is my first fight working with him.  He works hard and in his last fight in December against Sydorenko I was impressed, I came into the camp 3 weeks before the fight it was impressive to see him spar 12-rounds and to step out of the ring smiling where most fighters are mad and tired.  He made it look so easy against Sydorenko people thought Nonito was fighting a bum to get ready for Montiel, but no, he was an Olympian and two-time world champion.  That’s how good Nonito is.  I know Montiel is a great fighter and very experienced and I admire his work and we can’t take him lightly.  But it could turn into a fight that just goes our way without a problem.

It’s not hard to work with Nonito when he wants this fight so bad.  If I have to leave camp for a couple of days I have no problem with that because I know he is training hard. 

BOB ARUM:   The rematch of the great welterweight fight that took place in Dallas in November between Jesus Soto Karass and Mike Jones will also be televised on HBO.  Another great welterweight fight that won’t be on HBO but on the international telecast will be Mark Melligen of the Philippines and Gabriel Martinez of Mexico, which is another splendid match.  Those four welterweights are as good as anyone and better than some of the dribble that are getting paid seven figures by the network that is televising this event.  Also Mike Alvarado, a 140-pounder who has been in camp and released from camp and he is on the card and if successful you will see him again on April 16 on Showtime on the Juan Manuel Lopez card.  Another jr. welterweight, Mickey Bey, undefeated in 16 fights, will be on the card.  Finally there is a fighter from Cuba and his name is Udenis Ugas, undefeated out of Miami, FL – he is one of the most exciting welterweights you have seen.  We can’t predict greatness from him yet because he’s only had 5 fights.  But come early and watch him fight because he is going to be something special.  It is a great card and I think the main event will be a candidate for fight-of-the-year.  Thank you Nonito and Cameron and now we go to Fernando Montiel.