Weight no problem for confident Donaire

MANILA, Philippines - IBF lightflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. isn’t worried about making the 112-pound limit and vowed to crush undefeated challenger Raul (Cobra) Martinez in his third title defense at the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.

Donaire, 26, scaled 115 1/2 pounds after working out two hours at the Punch-Out Gym in Makati yesterday morning. He did three rounds of mitts with former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa, shadow boxed, skipped rope and went through a range of callisthenic exercises before packing his bags.

“I’ll keep my weight where it is now,” he said. “I’ll continue eating but the day before the weigh-in, I’ll cut down on my intake and do some light workouts. I don’t anticipate a problem making the weight. I’ll be at my strongest when the bell rings.”

Donaire said he hasn’t come face to face with Martinez since the Texan of Mexican descent arrived here Monday morning.

“I don’t care to see him although I caught a glimpse of him being interviewed in Starbucks walking out of the gym,” he said. “I’ve fought him before when we were amateurs. And I’ve studied his fights on tape so I know what he looks like.”

At noon today, Donaire and Martinez will be reacquainted at a press conference in the Manila Hotel.

Donaire said he’s ready for whatever Martinez brings to the table.

“I’m confident,” he went on. “How I trained is the key. I’ve never trained harder for a fight. I couldn’t care less what he does in the ring. I’ll just depend on my style and impose my will.”

Donaire said he’s prepared to win at all costs. “I’ll do what it takes to win,” he continued. “If it goes 12 rounds, I’ll be ready. If the opening for a knockout comes, I’ll go for it. I have no doubt in my mind I’ll win. I’m excited to get it over with.”

Despite his fifth round knockout over Vic Darchinyan two years ago, Donaire said he still has a lot to prove.

“It doesn’t bother me that Darchinyan is now considered one of the world’s top 10 best fighters, pound for pound, and I’m not on the list,” he said. “I remember when Cristian Mijares was on the list, Darchinyan was up in arms. But I’m not like that. If Darchinyan thinks I caught him with a lucky punch, I don’t care. I’m still young. I realize I still have to establish my name and credibility in boxing. I’ll just work on getting better all the time.”

Donaire said he’s not pressured by taking on Martinez in front of a hometown crowd.

“I don’t feel the pressure,” he said. “The fans make me more determined to win. I know the fans expect a slam-bang fight and I’ll give them what they want. I don’t want to disappoint the fans. I’m not fazed by Martinez’ power. I’m not even thinking about it. I’ve trained long and hard for this fight. Martinez winning isn’t going to happen.”  

Donaire’s family from the US has started to arrive. His wife Rachel’s parents Gerry and Becky flew in yesterday morning. His manager Cameron Dunkin is expected to plane in from Las Vegas with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum on Friday. A seat will be reserved at ringside for Donaire’s estranged father Nonito Sr. to whom he is dedicating the fight.

Donaire has won his last four bouts by knockout and hasn’t lost in his last 19 outings since 2001. It will be the third defense of the crown he wrested from Darchinyan after disposing of challengers Luis Maldonado and Moruti Mthalane. His record is 20-1, with 13 KOs, compared to Martinez’ 24-0, with 14 KOs.

Donaire is two inches taller than Martinez at 5-6 but their reach, 68 inches, is identical. Martinez, 27, is coming off a first round knockout over Victor Proa and picked up four wins last year. In contrast, Donaire has fought only once in the past 17 months, halting Mthalane in the sixth round last November.