MANILA, Philippines - There’s no doubt in Nonito Donaire Jr.’s mind that his fight against WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico will end inside the distance at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Feb. 19.
“My goal is to win by knockout,” said Donaire in an overseas telephone call from San Mateo, California, the other day. “I know I’m going to knock out Montiel and he thinks he’s going to knock me out. That’s basically what we told the media during our recent press conference. We really didn’t say much to each other then but we’re friends. We’ve known one another for years. I respect him as a world champion and he respects me as a challenger.”
At the moment, Donaire is a 2-1 favorite to dethrone the Mexican whose record is 44-2-2, with 34 KOs, compared to the Filipino Flash’s slate of 25-1, with 17 KOs. Donaire said he couldn’t care less how the bookmakers view the outcome of their 12-round bout.
“I don’t care about the odds at all,” said Donaire. “I don’t bet on my fights. Odds don’t mean a thing, one way or the other, as far as I’m concerned. All I know is what I have to do to win. He’s got two belts that I want. I’ll try to take him out as early as possible. I expect him to go to the body and try to use his strength against me. It doesn’t matter if I’m the favorite or the underdog. I’ll do what it takes to win.”
Donaire wouldn’t comment on a recent report quoting his mother Imelda accusing the fighter of not helping out his parents financially, particularly his father Nonito Sr. who used to be his trainer. The report painted an ugly picture of Donaire as ungrateful and disrespectful to his parents.
Donaire’s wife Rachel said it’s unfortunate that his mother has resorted to mud-slinging now that the fighter’s in the thick of training for Montiel. It could only be a distraction and a source of mental stress, she said. When Donaire returns to Manila tentatively on March 1, he will explain the family feud in full and tell the truth in a press conference. Until then, Donaire and his wife refuse to be pulled into a word war with family.
Donaire said he will be at ringside to support stablemate Brandon Rios in his fight against WBA lightweight champion Miguel Acosta of Venezuela in Las Vegas on Feb. 26. After Rios’ bout, Donaire and his wife will fly to Manila.
Rachel said the accusations are baseless and took Donaire’s mother to task for bashing her and her parents. “Honor thy father and mother – I believe in that statement to the fullest,” said Rachel in her facebook account. “No one is going to spread lies about you just so they look like a victim. They can’t argue evidence and witnesses. We need to show them the ways of a loving God, that emotionally abusing people, threats and lies don’t equate to happiness. They abused Jun’s kindness and willingness to forgive.”
Donaire’s mother was invited by the fighter to spend the holidays in Tokyo last month. Donaire took care of his mother’s travel and accommodation expenses. While in Tokyo, she reportedly brought up financial issues with Donaire. Rachel denied that Donaire has not given support to his parents and will submit evidence to prove her contention at the coming Manila press conference.
Meantime, Donaire is busy preparing for Montiel in what is expected to be a classic match-up. A few days ago, Donaire said he had already logged 27 rounds of sparring.
“My first sparring session was supposed to be for four rounds but I went up to nine – which surprised (trainer) Robert (Garcia),” said Donaire. “I’ve since gone 10 and eight rounds, sparring with Austreberto Juarez and Jesus Partida. I’m expecting to spar with Robert’s brother Mikey when he comes to camp. I’m in excellent shape. I’m exactly where I want to be, condition-wise.”
Mikey Garcia, 23, is a featherweight contender with a 24-0 record, including 20 KOs.
Donaire 28, hasn’t lost since dropping a five-round unanimous decision to Rosendo Sanchez in Vallejo, California, in 2001. It was only his second pro bout. He has now won 24 in a row.
“When they took the decision away from me in my second fight, I didn’t know how to react,” said Donaire quoted by Tris Dixon in Boxing News. “I didn’t want the sorry feeling in people’s faces and the sadness in their eyes following me. I didn’t like that at all and that’s why, for 10 years now, I haven’t lost because I don’t want people pitying me.”
Obviously, losing is not an option for Donaire in his fight against Montiel.