Donaire gets chance to fight in RP anew

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. hasn’t fought on Philippine soil for a long time he vowed to make memorable his April 19 title bout with Raul Martinez at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I want to put a good show for the Filipino boxing fans,” said Donaire during a break at his training camp in Baguio City.

“That’s why I’m really training hard for this fight, which will be the first time I’m defending my title in the Philippines.”

Donaire, 26, saw action in the country during the early stage of his career, before spending most of his 20-1 record (13 KOs) fighting in the rich US boxing circuit.

Given the opportunity by Solar Sports and Top Rank Promotions to defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title in the Philippines, Donaire didn’t hesitate to call the fight.

“I really wanted even before to stage one of my (title) fights here in the Philippines,” he said.

Solar Sports will be airing the 12-round fight via satellite.

Donaire knows he’s up against a dangerous foe in Martinez, who has yet to taste a loss in his 24 professional fights.

“You can’t take him lightly. He’s a tough test for me,” said Donaire, whose months of preparations are being supervised by the famed Peñalosa brothers – Dodie Boy, Gerry and Jonathan.

The California-based Filipino is making the third defense of his title after successfully retaining it against Luis Maldonado (8th round TKO) and Moruti Mthalane (6th round TKO).

He wrested the IBF crown in 2007 from previously unbeaten Vic Darchinyan in a bout boxing experts hailed as the year’s biggest upset.

The boxing card co-presented by Solar Sports and Top Rank offers a double championship showdown that will have Brian Viloria challenging champion Ulises Solis for the IBF light-flyweight belt.

 Viloria (24-2) was the former World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight titlist, but failed in two previous title attempts against Omar Niño Romero and Edgar Sosa.

Solis (28-1), from Zacatecas, Mexico, is undefeated for the last five years – a streak that includes victories over Filipinos Rodel Mayol, Bert Batawang and Glenn Donaire.