Donaire expects no problem in weigh-in

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. was just a pound over the limit yesterday morning and should have no problem at all making it for today’s official weigh-in at the Manila Hotel.

According to the boxer’s wife, Rachel, Donaire exercised for 30 minutes in the morning, just inside their Alabang home, and tipped the scales at 113 lbs before noon.

“He was 113 after 30 minutes of workout. He just skipped ropes and shadow boxed,” said Rachel. “All he has to do is skip a meal and he’s ready.”

The weigh-in takes place this morning at the Manila Hotel.

Donaire will defend his IBF and IBO flyweight (112 lbs) against unbeaten Mexican Raul Martinez on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. It will be his first title defense in the country.

Mexico’s Ulises Solis, younger brother of ex-Manny Pacquiao opponent Jorge Solis, will defend his IBF light-flyweight (108 lbs) crown against Fil-American Brian Viloria in the other big match.

Last Wednesday, Martinez claimed that he was already at 112 lbs, although when he came in last Monday after a 15-hour flight from Los Angeles he was at 117 lbs.

“It’s not hard shedding off the weight because of the weather here. It was hot and you sweat easily,” he said.

“If he’s 112 then he’s probably 112. Me? I can’t be at my weight days ahead of the fight. And I’m not gonna lie about it,” said Donaire, who thrives on a big knockout punch.

Martinez said he’s been in shape for quite a while now because of all the postponements of his fights.

“Started the year training but that fight was cancelled then trained for another fight and was cancelled, too. Then I got a call to fight Donaire and that fight was for March.

“It got postponed and I never stopped training until now,” he said.