NONITO DONAIRE IS GOING UP

Nonito Donaire proudly shows off his title belt

NONITO Donaire wants to get busy this year.

Just 10 days after his third-round knockout of Manuel Vargas in Las Vegas, the 27-year-old Filipino can't wait to return to action, and has pencilled May 8 as the date of his next fight.

"I'm looking at some fights at 118 (bantamweight)," said Donaire, the reigning interim WBA super-flyweight champion, during yesterday's PSA Forum at Shakey's along UN Avenue.

Donaire came with his wife, Rachel, and looked so excited doing a couple more fights this year. He only fought once in 2008 and twice last year, and certainly wants more for 2010.

He said he wants to challenge Mexico's Fernando Montiel for the WBO bantamweight crown although he's not totally closing the door on another fight at his current weight of 115.

"I want Montiel because my goal this year is to win the world title. If it's a world title, I will fight anybody," said Donaire, who flew home a few days ago, and has found time to relax.

"I can go back down to 115 but only for a big, big fight," he said, and that may involve a rematch with Vid Darchinyan or a fight Jorge Arce."The problem is there seems to be weak negotiations among the 115 fighters."

He said in the same session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Accel and Shakey’s, there's a possibility of invading the 122 lb division and go up against Israel Vasquez or Rafael Marquez.

"I'd fight anybody if it's for the world title," said Donaire, who's been enjoying himself the last couple of days. This week he'll be busy taping episodes for Manny Pacquiao's TV sitcom, "Show Me The Manny."

"They want me to tape some episodes for a month but I couldn't do it because I need to go back to training. I want a comfortable eight weeks of training, And besides, I want to see Manny's next fight," he said.

Donaire said he doesn't see any changes in his training camp, and that means he's sticking it out with trainers Robert Garcia and Jonathan Penalosa.

"We have a very good chemistry," he said. -Philippine Boxing News

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TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Nonito Donaire Jr (right) with wife Rachel upon arrival from the U.S.

By Gerry Ramos

FORMER International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. challenged brash Armenian Vic Darchinyan to immediately make their highly-awaited rematch possible or else he’ll just move on and campaign in the higher division.

And please, Mr. Darchinyan, Donaire stressed, he’s not the one to go after you.

To those who have a short memory, Donaire was more than please to inform that it was he who inflicted the fearsome fighter now based in Sydney, Australia his first career loss three years ago and dethroned him on top of the 112-pound weight class.

‘I’m just here ready to fight,” said Donaire upon arrival in the country Friday from the U.S. “But I won’t be the one to beg for a fight against him. Bakit ako ang mag-beg sa kanya.”

The long-sought return bout with the 34-year old Darchinyan surfaced once again in the light of Donaire’s quick, three-round demolition of a badly-outclassed Manuel Vargas of Mexico last Sunday in a 12-round super-flyweight bout at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Shortly after the win that hiked his record to 23-1, with 15 KOs, Donaire admitted having a hard time meeting the super-flyweight limit and expressed his intention of moving up to bantamweight in his next match.

But doing so would mean foregoing the rematch with Darchinyan, now the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight titlist.

Donaire admitted during the grand homecoming party tendered to him by GMA Network led by chairman, president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, that even himself is looking forward to meeting Darchinyan again, but for some reasons, he said, negotiations for the fight doesn’t always prosper.

“It’s been a long overdue rematch. But it’s been a long time also na parating negotiate na lang ng negotiate. I don’t want to just wait for another year without a fight. Aakyat na lang ako kung ayaw nila sa amin,” said Donaire, accompanied by wife Rachel Marcial and father in-law Gerry Marcial during the luncheon at the 17th floor of the GMA Network Center.

Donaire stunned the boxing world three years ago when he scored a fifth round technical knockout of the then undefeated Darchinyan to wrest the IBF 112-lb belt in Connecticut, U.S.A. in a fight later adjudged as the 2007 Upset of the Year.

Since then several attempts to have a rematch had been made, the latest of which came shortly after Donaire’s victory over Vargas.

The Filipino said he’s aware that such negotiations are now being arranged, adding, “there’s been an official talk between both camps, although medyo mahina yata `yung sa part nila.”

In the event the talks failed, Donaire said he’s definitely moving up at 118-lb and challenge reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Fernando Montiel.

“I’d rather fight a champion (Montiel) who respects me,” he said in an obvious spite on Darchinyan, who had been bad-mouthing the Filipino since their 2007 encounter.

For the Vargas fight, Donaire said he received a $150,000 purse since he’s not a legitimate world title holder at the moment, although when he was the IBF champion, the Filipino was already getting $250,000 per fight.

Likewise, a part of his prize will be given to retired fellow Filipino boxer Z Gorres, who is still undergoing rehabilitation following a brain surgery in Las Vegas.

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WELCOME HOME, `Z' GORRES

BACK to the country is former world title holder `Z' Gorres after more than three months of stay in the U.S. where he underwent brain surgery to ease the swelling on his head following his 10-round decision over Colombian Luis Melendez in November last year. Gorres was knocked down in the 10th round of the fight, but managed to hang on and win on points. A few seconds after he was announced the winner, Gorres collapsed in the ring owing to a blood clot in his brain.

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`FIGHT TOWN'

By Rolando Bohol

IT was in Las Vegas where Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack where the stars of the showrooms, but fighters like Sonny Liston and a bash Cassius
Clay help put the city on the boxing map.

Indeed, `Sin City’ and not New York, would eventually own the bragging right as the center of the boxing world.

It was in this place where champions where made - Mike Tyson becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever and George Foreman the oldest.

It was home to the most bizarre spectacles, yet sometimes seemed normal in a city that never sleeps.

It was in Vegas where Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear, while a motorized parachutist crashed into the ring as Holyfield was fighting Riddick Bowe.

There were touching moments too, like Foreman praying in his corner after knocking out Michael Moorer with a single punch to win back the heavyweight title at the MGM grand.

Veteran boxing writer Tim Dahlberg who saw his first fight in 1969 at the old internationalHotel, captures this all in the book `Fight Town’

The spread is spiced up with anecdotal flair, accompanied by lovely fotos.

One can take a peek through the different boxing arenas, get to learn about the inside lives of a 21-year old Clay jumping into the ring to challenge Sonny Liston after he knocks out Floyd Patterson in 1963 and vowing Liston will go down in eight rounds when meet.

Also there is Gerry Cooney staring into the darkening sky outside Caesars Palace in another heavyweight fight as he prepares to take on Larry Holmes in the biggest heavyweight title bout at the time.

The faces and places are all over there, spread out over more than 200 pages, truly a tribute to both the city and the sport it loves.

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SIX WORLD CHAMPS HONORED

FLASH ELORDE

SIX world champions in five weight divisions led by World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title holder Manny Pacquiao, will be the major honorees in the 10th Gabriel `Flash’ Elorde Memorial Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions slated March 25 at the Harbour Tent of the Sofitel Hotel.

To be feted in the rites held in memory of the 25th death and 75th birth anniversaries of `Da Flash’ are Donnie Nietes (WBO strawweight) Brian Viloria (International Basketball Federation light-flyweight), Nonito Donaire (IBF flyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO Oriental and WBO flyweight) and Gerry Penalosa (WBO bantamweight).

Pacquiao scored a 12-round stoppage of Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto to snatch the WBO 147-pound belt for his seventh world title in seven different weight classes.

Nietes, 28, defended his title twice last year against Erik Ramirez and Manuel Vargas, while Viloria dethroned Mexican Ulises Solis and then successfully defended his title against Jesus Iribe.

Donaire stopped Raul Martinez in the fourth round to retain his crown and then went up at super-flyweight and scored a decision over Rafael Concepcion, even as Marvin Sonsona won over Jose Lopez to become one of the youngest world champions, only to relinquish it later after failing to meet the weight in his title defense against Alejandro Hernandez.

Penalosa was the WBO bantamweight champion until he decided to fight Juan Manuel Lopez, and lost via a 10th round technical knockout.

The boxing award is presented by Johnny Elorde Management International and the Elorde Sports Foundation in cooperation with PAGCOR, Smart, Tanduay, Sofitel Hotel, Elorde gyms & Southpaw Bar and Grill.

The event will also have a special significance since half a century ago, Elorde began his seven-year reign as junior lightweight champion after stopping Harold Gomes on March 16, 1960 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Elorde would make 10 straight title defense.

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NO MATCH FOR DONAIRE

Nonito Donaire Jr. walks away from a fallen Manuel Vargas. Chris Farina/Top Rank

LAS VEGAS – Nonito Donaire Jr. made short work of late substitute Manuel Vargas of Mexico to banner the country’s campaign in the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 boxing card at the Hilton Hotel and Casino here Saturday.

Donaire was in control of the 12-round bout right from the opening bell, before delivering the coup de grace in the 1:33 mark of the third when he caught Vargas with a solid right uppercut.

Vargas, fighting as a super-flyweight for the first time, fell flat on his back and failed to beat the count of referee Joe Cortez, allowing Donaire to keep his World Boxing Association (WBA) interim 115-pound belt.

The Filipino improved to 23-1, with 15 KOs.

He was originally scheduled to take on Gerson Guerrero, but the Mexican wasn’t allowed to fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission owing to a detached retina on his right eye.

“I went side to side, leading with the jab, then landed that hard uppercut,” said the 27-year old Donaire, drawing cheers from a jampacked crowd that included World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion and world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and former world title contender Z Gorres.

“It was a crazy week,” Donaire admitted.. “It didn’t matter who I fought. I simply tried to figure him out.”

The smashing win by Donaire, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight king, made up for the heartbreaking losses suffered by compatriot Gerry Penalosa and Ciso Morales.

Penalosa, 37, lost by split decision to Eric Morel in what perhaps could be his last professional fight.

The veteran boxer (54-8, 36 KOs) won in one of the judges’ scorecards, 115-113, but lost in the other two by scores of 115-113 and 116-112.

The fight was a title eliminator, with Morel expected to get a shot at reigning WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, who was devastating in his first round annihilation of Morales in the other undercard.

Montiel landed two solid body shots to the overmatched Filipino, leaving Morales crumbling in pain and unable to beat the count at the 2:06 mark of the opening round.

It was the first loss for Morales in 15 pro fights.

Earlier, Bernabe Concepcion pounded out a unanimous decision over Mario Santiago of Puerto Rico to earn a possible title shot against reigning WBO featherweight king Juan Manuel Lopez.

Concepcion (28-3, 14KOs) staggered Santiago several times, and had the Puerto Rican down in the canvas in the sixth round after connecting on a short right just above the chin.

The Filipino won by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93.

Welterweight Mark Jason Melligen also won his fight agains previously undefeated Raymond Gatica of Austin, Texas, hammering out a sixth round technical knockout as the Filipinos won three and lost two in the boxing card promoted by Top Rank.

At the end of the promotion, Pacquiao addressed the audience and asked for some financial help to augment the recovery of Gorres from a life-threatening loss last November.

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PINOY POWER 3

LAS VEGAS – Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. declared he’s ready for his 12-round super-flyweight fight Sunday at the Hilton Hotel here despite the fact that his opponent, Manuel `Chango’ Vargas of Mexico, was a last minute replacement days leading to the bout.

“I just want to fight. It doesn’t matter who. Bring on anyone,” said the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title holder..

Vargas, 28, was tapped to fight Donaire just last week after the Filipino’s original opponent, Gerson Guerrero, was not allowed to fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission owing to a tear in his right retina.

Although disappointed that he will not be facing the person he prepared and trained for in the last two months, Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) said he’s definitely primed up against Vargas.

“I’m ready for Vargas now. I’m just hoping that the fight is going to be a good one,” the `Filipino Flash’ added.

Vargas last fought at 105 pounds, losing to another Filipino in Donnie Nietes, who successfully retained his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimum weight belt following a split decision in Nayarit, Mexico.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who is promoting the match, said Donaire should not take Vargas (26-4, 11KOs) for granted.

“He (Vargas) is no pushover. He’ll give Donaire all he can handle,” said the veteran boxing promoter.

Donaire’s defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super-flyweight title against Vargas serves as the main event of the Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 boxing card that also features local fighters Bernabe Concepcion, Ciso Morales and veteran Gerry Penalosa seeing action in the undercards.

Of the lot, Morales is actually the one vying for a world title as he challenges Mexican Fernando Montiel for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight championship.

Unbeaten in 14 bouts (with 8 KOs), Morales is in his first world title match and will be hard-pressed to dethrone the hard-punching champion, who boasts of a fearsome 39-2 record (29 KOs).

Both fighters came in at exactly 118 pounds during the official weigh-in Saturday.

Donaire meanwhile, tipped the scale at 115, while Vargas was at 114.

On the other hand, Penalosa faces former WBA world flyweight king Eric Morel in a 12-round fight at bantamweight serving as a title eliminator.

The 37-year old Penalosa, a former two-time world champion, hasn’t fought since being stopped in the 10th round by Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez in his bid for the WBO super bantamweight crown in April last year.

Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 KOs) didn’t have a hard time meeting the bantamweight limit as he weighed in at exactly 118. Morel was a pound lighter at 117.

Like Penalosa, Bernabe is also looking to bounce back from a loss as he takes on Mario Santiago of Puerto Rico in a 12-round featherweight showdown.

Bernabe lost by disqualification against Steven Luevano during their WBO featherweight championship fight last August.

Both Bernabe and Santiago tipped in at 126 pounds.

Upcoming Mark Jason Melligen is also included in the undercard, battling Raymond Gatica of the U.S. -Philippine Boxing News

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MILESTONES FOR `DA FLASH', `PACMAN'

TWO great champions in Gabriel `Flash’ Elorde and Manny Pacquiao celebrate milestones when the 10th Gabriel `Flash’ Elorde Boxing Awards-Banquet of Champions is held on March 25 at the Harbour Tent of the Sofitel Hotel.

Elorde is best remembered for his reign as junior lightweight champion for seven years (1960-67), winning the title via a seventh round knockout of Harold Gomes on March 16, 1960 during the inaugural of the Araneta Coliseum.

He retained the title 10 times before losing it to Yoshiaki Numata in Tokyo in 1967.

Pacquiao meanwhile, is considered the current pound-for-pound champion in the world today and has won a record seven titles in seven different weight divisions.

Elorde has already been elevated into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, while Pacquiao is a future Hall of Famer as well, although he has already been inducted into the Elorde Hall of Fame.

Incidentally, this year marks the 25th death anniversary and 75th birth anniversary of `Da Flash’, 50 years after wresting his first world title.

“This year we celebrate the milestones of the country’s greatest boxers, and with equal importance, the resurgence of the sport through the outstanding performance of other boxers in the international area,” said Laura Elorde, wife of the late boxing legend.

Sharing honors during the Elorde Banquet of Champions are world title holders led by Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight), Brian Viloria (IBF light-flyweight), Nonito Donaire Jr. (IBF flyweight), Marvin Sonsona (WBO flyweight) and Gerry Penalosa (WBO bantamweight).

Hosted by the Johnny Elorde Management International and Elorde Foundation, the annual awards will be presented by the Elorde family – wife Laura and children Malou, Bebot and wife Arlene, Johnny and wife Liza, Theresa and husband Amor, Marty, Rita and husband Edmund and Cucuy.

It is sponsored by the Elorde Sports Center, Department of Tourism, Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., Elorde Boxing Gyms and Southpaw Bar & Grill.

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PACQUIAO LOOKIN' GOOD

Pacquiao in training (file foto)

By Gerry Ramos

WITH still more than a month left before he stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against Joshua Clottey, Manny Pacquiao is already looking to be in good fighting shape.

Only on his second week of sparring for his March 13 showdown with the bigger and stronger challenger from Ghana, but Pacquiao tipped the scale at 149 pounds, just two over the agreed fighting weight of 147.

‘He is looking sharp,” admitted trainer Freddie Roach. “We are erady to fight tomorrow if required.”

But concern the Filipino boxing champion may lose a lot of weight in the course of his training for the next six weeks, Roach has given Pacquiao the go-signal to take his regular meals and drink protein shake at least four to five times a day.

“At least that would keep his weight as training camp goes into high gear in the next few weeks,” Roach added.

The 31-year old world’s top pound-for-pound fighter has so far sparred for only three days or a total of 16 rounds against Brian Brooks and Jose Benavidez, the 2009 National Golden Gloves light-welterweight champion.

But in the few times that both boxers sparred with Pacquiao, the Filipino southpaw easily overwhelmed them, so much so that Roach has now arranged to bring in once again unbeaten light middleweight prospect Shawn Porter.

The 22-year old Porter (12-0, 10 KOs) served as Pacquiao’s main sparring partner as he prepared for his 12-round fight with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto last year.

On Wednesday, Pacquiao reported two hours late for his training at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles after entertaining visitors at his high-end home at Hancock Park.

He also took a long rest mid-morning after running uphill at Griffith Park.

But Pacquiao was all business at the gym once training started at around 3 p.m., capping the two-hour workout by going 10 rounds with Roach on the mitts.

In contrast, Clottey appeared to be having some rough time training for his title match with Pacquiao at the 40,000-seater Cowboys Stadium.

Although the 32-year old former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion has already began training, his preparation has been hampered by the failure of his trainers led by Godwin Dzanie Kotey, also known as Alloway, and assistant Daniel Clottey, to renew their U.S visas.

Clottey is now back in New York, where he is currently based, after spending a week of training in Ghana under Kotey’s watchful eyes.

“Alloway is the coach I know, he can speak my language to me and make me understand things better,” he said. “I am disappointed with the U.S. Embassy because now I have to go and do this difficult job with people I don’t know.”

Clottey is expected to set his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida beginning this week.

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GIRL POWER - WOMEN'S BOXING

By Gerry Ramos

PROSPECT of the country winning gold medals in the Asian Games gained ground last week after the Asiad organizing committee finally decided to include women’s boxing in the meet’s calendar of events which Guangzhou, China is hosting in November.

Li Xiaofeng, senior official of the Guangzhou Asiad organizing committee, said in a statement that the decision was made in conjunction with the Olympic Council of Asia.

Women’s boxing makes its debut in the Olympics during the 2012 London Games.

Team Philippines Chef De Mission to the Asiad Joey Romasanta definitely welcomes the new development, which he said, all the more enhances the Filipinos’ bid to win more gold medals.

“The inclusion of women’s boxing definitely gives the Philippines a lot of opportunities in terms of improving our chances of winning gold medals and in surpassing our showing during the 2006 Doha Asian Games,” said Romasanta, also spokesperson of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The country bagged a total of four gold medals in the Doha Asiad four years ago through boxers Violito Payla and Joan Tipon, pool player Antonio Gabica and wushu artist Rene Catalan.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) under president Ricky Vargas, felt ecstatic about the matter, especially in the light of the success women’s boxing achieved in the recent Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

“We are so excited. We know very well that we have a good chance in women’s boxing. Our women boxers are all determined and focused,” said ABAP secretary-general Patrick `Pato’ Gregorio.

Expected to lead the country’s charge in the sport is Asian Indoor Games gold medal winner Annie Albania, who also accounted for one of three golds the lady boxers won in the 25th edition of the SEA Games along with Josie Gabuco and Alice Kate Aparri.

Mitchel Martinez won a silver medal in the Laos SEA Games.

“We had no doubt it (women’s boxing) would be included in the Asian Games,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “The AIBA has been actively pushing for it. This just makes us more inspired to strengthen our program to discover more female boxers.”

ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan has dangled a P3 million cash incentive to any boxer – men or women – who will win a gold in the Guangzhou Asiad.

The Asian Games and the Olympics, will have three categories in women’s boxing -- flyweight, lightweight and middleweight.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge is a strong advocate of women's boxing and he pushed through the decision to make it an Olympic sport last year.

Women's boxing, which first came to prominence in England in 1720, appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1904 Olympics, but did not reappear on the radar until a vain attempt to have it introduced into the Games failed in 2005.

The Asian Games, the second-largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympics, will be held in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou from November 12-27.

More than 14,000 athletes, trainers and coaches from 45 countries and regions will compete in 42 sports.

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WHO ELSE, BUT PACMAN

MANNY PACQUIAO

By Gerry Ramos

AMERICAN sportswriters covering the boxing beat just can’t get enough of Manny Pacquiao.

The boxing superstar from the Philippines was named 2009 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) following another smashing year in the ring that saw him win a record seventh world title in seven different weight classes.

Side by side with the highest individual award being conferred by the BWAA is the Fighter of the Decade honor of which the 31-year old Pacquiao is also the recipient.

Pacquiao will be feted with the twin awards on June 11 during the 85th annual banquet of the boxing group in New York City.

The Fighter of the Year honor is the second in a row for Pacquiao and third in the last four years after winning the award in 2006 and 2008.

The Filipino boxing champion bested heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, Andre Ward, Paul Williams and Arthur Abraham for the yearly plum.

Pacquiao was also named Fighter of the Year by ESPN and Ring Magazine for 2009, the year when he knocked out Ricky Hatton cold in just two rounds to clinch the International Boxing Organization (IBO) junior welterweight title belt, and then scored a 12th round technical knockout of Miguel Cotto in claiming the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown for his seventh world championship in seven different weight divisions.

The popular southpaw from General Santos City meanwhile, edged out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Sugar Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera for the Fighter of the Decade plum.

The world pound-for-pound king went 24-1-2 during the decade, the lone setback provided by Mexican Erik Morales during the first of their classic trilogy in 2005.

The prestigious awards serve to validate Pacquiao’s claim to greatness despite questions hovering his achievements following rumors floated by other boxing quarters that he’s on performance-enhancing drugs.

Doubts on Pacquiao’s boxing ability reached its cresendo after he refused to agree to an Olympic-style drug testing procedure demanded by the camp of Mayweather Jr. as part of the negotiations for their supposed March 13 mega-fight in Las Vegas.

The disagreement on the proper drug-testing procedure to be administered on the two boxing stars eventually led to the collapse of the bout projected by many as the biggest and richest in the history of boxing.

He’s now set to fight Joshua Clottey of Ghana in his first defense of his WBO title belt also on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Meanwhile, Freddie Roach also claimed the 2009 Trainer of the Year on the strength of his excellent job working the corner of the `Pacman’.

Roach had been the recipient of the same award – named after the late great Eddie Futch - in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Roach is a known disciple of Futch.

Named Fight of the Year by the BWAA meanwhile, is the lightweight title fight between Marquez and Juan Diaz in Houston, Texas last February. Marquez scored a ninth-round stoppage of the `Baby Bull.’

Also to be honored are ESPN’s Joe Tessitore for excellence in broadcast journalism; sports columnist Jerry Izenberg of the Neward Star Ledger for long and meritorious service to boxing, while Hall of Famerm, the late Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua, will be given a posthumous award.

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