Donaire waiting for call

<

MANILA, Philippines - Interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said yesterday Jorge Arce’s upset loss to South African Simphiwe Nonggayi for the IBF title has derailed his plans to fight in December but he’s still hoping Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and his manager Cameron Dunkin can come up with a option that will bring him back in the ring before the year ends.

“I’m just a phone call away,” said Donaire who is now rated No. 7 in The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings. “Right now, we’re playing a strategic game in looking for an opponent. Arce would’ve been perfect if only he beat Nonggayi. But he’s not in the cards anymore. There’s really nothing to gain in fighting Arce who is back to rebuilding his career.”

WBA superflyweight titlist Nobuo Nashiro is a target but he may be ordered to stake his crown once more against Mexican Hugo Cazares with whom the Japanese battled to a split draw in Osaka last Wednesday.

Vic Darchinyan is another possibility even as he’s coming off a loss to IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko but the problem is the Australian is staying clear of Donaire. Darchinyan, who lost his IBF flyweight crown to Donaire on a fifth round knockout two years ago, is booked to defend his “super” WBA and WBC 115-pound titles against Tomas Rojas in California on Dec. 12.

WBO bantamweight titleholder Fernando Montiel was also considered but the Mexican is pencilled to face Gerry Peñalosa in Cancun on Dec. 19.

Nonggayi could be his next opponent although the unbeaten “Golden Master” is hardly a box office draw. At least, he holds a world title that Donaire wants.

“Nonggayi is like (Moruti) Mthalane,” said Donaire referring to his South African victim whom he stopped in the sixth round in Las Vegas last year. “You wonder how many will watch the fight because Nonggayi has no US fan base. Still, I’m willing to fight anyone Top Rank and Cameron will put in front of me.”

Donaire said he will go back to the gym with trainer Jonathan Peñalosa this week just in case Dunkin phones.

But realistically, Donaire said it’s unlikely he’ll fight again this year.

“The balance of the advertising money for the year is going to Pacquiao-Cotto so I don’t think there’s going to be too much left for anything else,” said Donaire. “It’s probably just as well as I’ve just recovered from dengue and I’m scheduled to visit Dr. (George) Canlas this week for a check-up on my right hand which by the way, is healed.”

Meanwhile, Donaire is keeping busy with his TV and social commitments. He taped his fifth appearance on GMA-TV’s Celebrity Duets yesterday and may host a TV documentary, to be produced by Solar Sports, on Manny Pacquiao’s training for Miguel Cotto in Baguio.

Last Wednesday, Donaire met with President Arroyo near the golf course of Malacañang in a special audience where he gave the Chief Executive one of only eight team jackets made for his recent fight against Rafael Concepcion. President Arroyo rewarded Donaire with a P1 million bonus for beating Concepcion to claim the interim WBA title.

After accepting the President’s bonus, Donaire said he would donate the entire amount for typhoon victims and rally Fil-Ams in the US to send relief goods. He also vowed to support Games and Amusements Board boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz’ program for out-of-school youth. Dr. Cruz was present at the meeting with the President. Also attending were Ambassador Mae Jimenez of the Ahon Foundation, Donaire’s wife Rachel, team coordinator Mark Tandoc and GMA-TV vice president Ida Henares.

It was later decided that Donaire would use the P1 million reward to buy 40 “bahay kubos” to shelter typhoon victims in an area to be designated by the President’s staff. GMA-TV pledged to support Donaire’s effort by providing the “kubos” with living amenities, like stoves and beds. Each “kubo” will be about 14 square meters with provisions for a kitchen, sitting area and bedroom.

“We want a ‘kubo’ that’s simple, safe, clean and durable – something that’s fit for living in, not for recreation,” said Donaire who shopped around for a “kubo” maker in Imus last Thursday.

Donaire in stable condition after bout with dengue

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Nonito Donaire remained confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa a day after he was brought in due to high fever. Initial blood tests showed signs of dengue.

The boxer himself texted The STAR last night, saying that while “signs of dengue platelets have dropped, my temperature (at 40 degrees Thursday evening) is going up and down.”

The reigning world champion said he’s still on IV (intravenous) and will remain confined at the hospital for another day.

“Thanks for all your prayers but this fight is not over yet,” said Donaire, just weeks after he defeated Panama’s Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas.

Manager Cameron Dunkin says a regimen of intravenous fluids helped to reduce the fighter’s fever, which dropped to 100 degrees (38 degrees C) on Thursday after climbing above 104 (40).

Donaire’s wife, Rachel, thinks the boxer likely contracted the fever from a mosquito bite. More than 50 million people per year are believed to be affected by dengue fever, found largely in the tropics.

“Some people don’t react to it, some people do,” Dunkin said. “Rachel told me, ‘It can be dangerous, but we caught it very early and we got him in.”’

Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) was the IBF flyweight champion before moving up to 115 pounds (52 kilograms). He hasn’t lost since his second professional bout in March 2001, most notably knocking out Vic Darchinyan to claim the IBF 112-pound (50-kilogram) title.

Despite the health scare, Donaire and his wife intend to remain in the Philippines for another month, Dunkin said. Donaire could have his next fight in early December, but he’s filling the time in between by singing on a Filipino television reality show, meeting politicians and doing charity work.

He also met with Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound champion who hasn’t begun training for his Nov. 14 bout with Miguel Cotto.

Donaire and Pacquiao are major celebrities in the Philippines, but their trainers and promoters at Top Rank sometimes see both fighters’ focus wander under their native land’s spotlight.

Donaire confined due to high fever

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire was taken to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa last night due to high fever, more than two weeks after he defeated Panama’s Rafael Concepcion and became the WBA Interim super-flyweight champion.

Donaire’s wife, Rachel, told The STAR that Donaire started feeling ill the other night, and took some medication. He was in bed practically the whole day yesterday and when his fever reached 40 degrees he was taken to the hospital.

Rachel said doctors are performing several tests on the 26-year-old boxer, and as of presstime there’s no word yet on his condition.

“They’re doing some blood tests on him. Right now they don’t know what’s wrong with him except that his running a very high fever,” said Rachel, who’s hoping that it’s nothing more than a case of the flu.

Donaire, cage officials in forum

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super-flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. shares centerstage with RP Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala in tomorrow’s session of the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.

What’s up in his next fight tops Donaire’s agenda in the public sports program sponsored by Accel, the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), Shakey’s and Outlast Battery, while Toroman and Eala are expected to talk on the coming activities of the Smart-backed Nationals.

Also appearing in the 10:30 a.m. session are Undersecretary Pedro Cesar Ramboanga Jr and Nick Cabalza as they discuss next month’s Bike for Peace event organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Donaire honored by Aquino family, too

Nonito Donaire Jr. presents the WBA title belt to former President Cory’s daughters Ballsy, Viel and Pinky. At left is Donaire’s wife Rachel and partly hidden at back is Ballsy’s husband Eldon Cruz.


By Joaquin Henson

MANILA, Philippines - It was supposed to be newly crowned interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.’s tribute to the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino but to his surprise, the surviving Aquino family turned the tables on the fighter in an emotional show of affection at the Roozen Hall of the Don Bosco complex in Makati yesterday.

Donaire and wife Rachel attended the concelebrated morning Mass to commemorate the late Sen. Aquino’s assassination in 1983 at the jam-packed Don Bosco Parish Church then trooped to the Roozen Hall for the champion to present the WBA title belt, his yellow robe (with the inscriptions “I.M.O. (in memory of) former President Cory Aquino” and yellow fighting trunks (with “Aquino” emblazoned on the back waistband) to the family.

Donaire wore the robe and trunks in his win over Panama’s Rafael Concepcion for the interim WBA crown in Las Vegas last Saturday. He dedicated the fight to the late President Cory.

After the turnover, former President Cory’s daughter Ballsy Aquino-Cruz sprang a surprise when she announced the family is “adopting” Donaire as a “bunso” brother.

“I was overwhelmed,” said Donaire. “I never expected it from the family. What an honor for me to be accepted as part of a family which I respect so highly.”

Ballsy then gave Donaire an autographed family portrait and a bag-full of President Cory memorabilia.

Ballsy’s son Jiggy said his grandmother’s name Corazon means “heart” and that’s exactly what Donaire showed in agreeing to fight an overweight Concepcion when he had the option to take his $150,000 purse plus $6,500 as his share of the Panamanian’s fine for failing to make the weight without entering the ring.

Donaire said he couldn’t disappoint the Filipino people by walking away from the bout because it was a matter of national pride.

“It isn’t about money,” he said. “In my heart is instilled the word ‘laban’ which was President Cory’s battlecry in her fight for democracy. We owe her our democracy because she gave us the voice to speak out. I couldn’t have backed out from the fight. I was determined to fight even if Concepcion weighed 20 or 50 pounds over the limit.”

Donaire’s wife Rachel, who wore a bright yellow dress, explained that yellow symbolized hope and a bright future for the Philippines. Donaire was in a suit with a yellow necktie.

“Jun’s fighting color is red but this was an exception to honor President Cory,” she explained. “More than anything, yellow means there is hope for a bright future. It’s a color that shines through and of course, it’s the color that President Cory used to rally our people.”

Donaire said his fighting sign – two interlocked Ls, one upright and the other, reversed – combines “L” for “laban” and “7” or a reverse “L” to commemorate his knockout over Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight title on 07/07/07 – July 7, 2007.

After the Mass, another daughter Pinky Aquino-Abellada walked up the rostrum and thanked the crowd for remembering her parents as heroes. She urged the people to vote wisely and said she is confident that Filipinos know which politicians are candidates for personal gain and which are not.

“There was never a taint of corruption when my father was a senator and my mother was President,” said Pinky. “In the end, they still went home to our old house on Times Street.”

Pinky said Donaire’s belt, robe and trunks will be on display at the Aquino Center in the Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac City. The Center is where the family recreated Sen. Aquino’s Fort Bonifacio cell and exhibits the clothes he wore during his assassination.

GMA’s Chino Trinidad was the master of ceremonies in the tribute and testified how Donaire overcame a much bigger opponent to win for the country and the Aquino family. Trinidad covered the fight on-site for live satellite TV transmission to the Philippines.

From Don Bosco, the Aquino family hosted a lunch at 11 Palm Avenue, Forbes Park, where President Cory’s parents lived. The Donaires were warmly received as part of the family.

Among those who attended the lunch were US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Bro. Bernie Oca of La Salle, Star columnist Popoy Juico and wife Margie, Ambassador Howard Dee, Mila Drilon, Dinky Soliman, Fulgencio Factoran, Cesar Buenaventura, Antonio Gonzalez, Deedee Sytangco, Domingo Lee, Miguel Perez-Rubio, Cesar Sarino, Gen. Voltaire Gazmin, Gen. Ramon Montano, Odette Ong, Speaker Jose and Gina de Venecia, Solar owners William and Wilson Tieng, Ambassador Mercy Tuason, Adolf Azcuna and Maritess Lopez.

Roach, yes, but full-time: Donaire

By Edri K. Aznar

NEWLY-crowned World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. isn’t dismissing the idea that he would tap renowned coach Freddie Roach as one of his trainers.

Following his recent world championship victory over the overweight Rafael Concepcion last Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum advised Donaire to hire Roach as his trainer so that his skills will improve, like what Roach did for pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

“It’s (training with Roach) a possibility,” Donaire said last Tuesday in a report at GMANews.tv.

Because of the guidance of Roach, Pacquiao evolved from a brawler to practically a complete fighter who became a world champion in six different divisions, tied with future hall-of-famer Oscar de la Hoya.

Not too keen

Donaire is considering Roach as a vital key in his team, but he isn’t too keen about it because of the coach’s busy schedule.

“Roach is very good, but the problem is that Roach is training a lot of boxers, like Bernabe Concepcion, Amir Khan, and especially Manny. So when I fight maybe he won’t have the time,” he said. “Aside from our great training, we need an intelligent guy to game plan the whole fight. There’s a possibility of it (Roach joining Team Donaire) but I don’t like that I won’t be given attention when the fight comes. I’m not sure, I like 100 percent (attention) so that my fight will be good.”

Camp

The 26-year-old Donaire has lauded his trainers Dodie Boy and Jonathan Peñalosa for an excellent work in the training camp, which he believes were a huge help in his 12-round unanimous decision victory over Concepcion.

“They (Peñalosas) have done a great job, our training was great that’s why I was very conditioned to last for 12 rounds,” said Donaire. “I have a great relationship with them and definitely next fight (they’ll be there to train me). The Peñalosas are now part of my family,” he added.

Aside from his recent win, the Peñalosa brothers also helped him in his last fight as a flyweight, when he dominated and knocked out former undefeated prospect Raul Martinez in the fourth round, of the first installment of the “Pinoy Power” boxing series last April 19 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 20, 2009.

Donaire calls foe 'a dirty fighter'

WBA interim superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. with wife Rachel Ann upon their arrival at the NAIA terminal 2 yesterday from Los Angeles

MANILA, Philippines - Newly-crowned interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. said yesterday if he weighed anywhere close to what Rafael Concepcion did in their Las Vegas fight, the Panamanian would’ve been knocked out in the first round.

Sporting a welt under his right eye, Donaire arrived in Manila on board Philippine Airlines Flight 107 early yesterday morning to a hero’s welcome. He came with wife Rachel and trainers Dodie Boy and Jonathan Penalosa. The team received VIP treatment from airport authorities.

Donaire spent the day making guest appearances on various TV talk shows and taping two episodes of GMA’s new series “Celebrity Duets.” Today, he will be feted by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in a motorcade then will visit former President Aquino’s family to give the yellow robe and trunks he wore for the Concepcion fight which he dedicated to the late Chief Executive.

Tomorrow, Donaire’s swollen left hand will be examined by sports medicine specialist Dr. Raul Canlas in Alabang. The country’s top hand specialists Dr. Noel Carillo of St. Luke’s and Dr. Ida Tacata of Makati Medical Center will likely be tapped to suggest a permanent solution to Donaire’s recurring hand problems.

Asked about Concepcion, Donaire minced no words in calling the Panamanian “a dirty fighter.”

“First of all, he had no intentions to make the superflyweight limit (115),” he said. “While I sacrificed and made the weight, he trained at his natural weight (122) and didn’t care if he made the superflyweight limit or not. All he wanted was to beat me. I could’ve cancelled the fight but he knew I wouldn’t because of my pride. Not personal pride but pride for our country.”

The difference in weight is more pronounced in the lower weight categories from minimumweight to lightweight. Gerry Penalosa, for instance, couldn’t bring down Juan Manuel Lopez in their WBO superbantamweight title fight last April because the two-time Filipino world champion, now a natural bantamweight, was too small for the much bigger Puerto Rican.

When Concepcion stepped into the ring to face Donaire last Saturday night, he weighed 134. Donaire was 122. The 12-pound difference meant Concepcion was three weight divisions higher.

Worse, Donaire said Concepcion used dirty tricks to slow him down. “When he jabbed, he stuck out his foot and stepped on me – it caused me to slip twice,” he said. “When he came close, he elbowed me. Then he butted me in the fourth round. My vision in the left eye was a blur for a few rounds because of that. On top of all that, I hurt my hand in the early rounds. It could’ve been as early as the first when I hit him hard on the head and he was staggered. That’s why I couldn’t put my combinations together. I could hit only once at a time.”

Donaire said he noticed in the ninth round, Concpecion’s power started to wane. “You saw his face,” he continued. “He was beat up, tired and bleeding. I really tried to knock him out but because he was so much bigger, he could take my power and besides, I couldn’t put too much behind my left hand because it hurt so bad.”

Donaire’s trainers the Penalosa brothers, who worked his corner with conditioning coach Mike Bazzel, said the fighter never complained about the hand throughout the fight.

“We knew he hurt his hand because he wasn’t throwing combinations,” said Dodie Boy. “But he never complained and we never asked him about it until after the fight. That kid has a lot of heart.”

Donaire said veteran Argentinian trainer Miguel Diaz wrapped his hands before the fight. Ordinarily, Donaire bandages his own hands but this time, he asked for a professional since he chose to use the new foamy Everlast “pro-tech” gloves. He said the wraps didn’t seem thick enough to protect his hands. Concepcion used the thin-foamed Everlast model which is similar to Cleto Reyes’ puncher’s gloves. Both gloves were eight-ouncers.

Two days after the fight, the swelling in his left hand was down but the front of his hand was red all over. He also said there was a slight pain in the palm of his right hand.

“I don’t think there’s a fighter at 115 who can take my power and speed but if you’re two or three weight classes higher, it’s a different story,” said Donaire. “If I build up to 122 and Concepcion stays at that weight, I promise you he won’t last one round with me.”

Donaire said he will submit the medical reports on his hands to Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and his manager Cameron Dunkin who are both based in Las Vegas. The extent of the damage, the repair work and the recovery period will determine how soon Donaire can fight again. He said he hopes to resume light workouts in two weeks and start heavy training in two months to stay on track for a possible fight against Mexico’s rugged Jorge Arce on Dec. 12 in “Pinoy Power 3” in Las Vegas.

Donaire goes for broke against overweight foe

LAS VEGAS – IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. declined the option to cancel his interim WBA superflyweight title fight against an overweight Rafael Concepcion and said it’s a matter of pride for him to battle the Panamanian because he’s dedicating the bout to the late President Cory Aquino at the New Joint, a 4,000-seat facility in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino complex here this morning (Manila time).

Donaire, 26, tipped the scales at the superflyweight limit of 115 pounds at the weigh-in yesterday but Concepcion, 27, checked in at 119 1/2 and refused to try to trim down, agreeing to pay a $13,000 fine or 20 percent of his purse. Half of the fine will go to Donaire and the other half to the Nevada State Athletic Commission whose executive director Keith Kizer supervised the weighing proceedings at the Muse Room of the host hotel.

Kizer gave Donaire the option to cancel the fight but the Filipino Flash wouldn’t hear of it. If he wins, Donaire will annex the interim WBA crown. If he loses, the title will be vacant.

“I don’t care if Concepcion comes in 10 or 20 pounds over the limit,” said Donaire. “He’s a natural superbantamweight and I’m sure his plan all along was to fight me at his optimum weight. He doesn’t care about the title. All he wants is to beat me. I know it’ll be tough to fight someone much bigger. But I’m confident of my speed and power. He’ll be strong at whatever weight he’ll carry to the ring, maybe 130. His problem is he’ll be slower.”

Donaire said he’s ready for Concepcion, no matter what.

“He figured right that I wouldn’t back out of the fight even if he was over the limit,” said Donaire. “I’m a warrior. I don’t back out of a fight. I’m here to fight. This is for President Aquino. This is for our country and our people.”

To honor the late President, Donaire will wear a specially-made yellow Everlast robe with the inscriptions “I. M. O. (in memory of) former President Cory Aquino” on the back. “Aquino” is emblazoned on the back waistband of his yellow trunks.

Donaire brushed off rumors that he was bothered by asthma attacks during his training at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, near his Bay Area home in San Mateo.

“I’ve had asthma since I was a boy,” said Donaire. “When I fought (Moruti) Mthalane, I had a slight case of bronchitis and my Las Vegas doctor Richard Vhoy, who used to be with the US Olympic Committee, rediscovered my asthma during a checkup. I use an inhaler for my asthma and you can’t use it at least two weeks before a fight because it will show in the urine test. Definitely, my asthma didn’t bother me in preparing for Concepcion.”

To make the weight, Donaire just had two eggs and a bowl of sweet-sour soup with mixed vegetables thrice a day for three weeks. After making the weight yesterday, he immediately put on five pounds eating lasagne and chicken Alfredo at the Italian restaurant Olive Garden. Then, he relaxed in his fourth floor suite at the Carriage House with his wife Rachel, conditioning coach Mike Bazzel and Dr. Cameron Fort. Late afternoon, Dr. Fort administered active release technique, a movement-based tissue healing procedure to tone his muscles for the weight he’s expected to put on for the fight.

Concepcion, 27, said he couldn’t understand why his body wouldn’t respond to his diet and training program which should’ve brought down his weight to the limit.

“I arrived from Panama in Las Vegas last Sunday and I just had four or five pounds to get rid of,” said Concepcion in Spanish. “But no matter what I did, my weight just wouldn’t go down. The day before the weigh-in, I was 120. Before the weigh-in, I was in a sauna room for 45 minutes and I didn’t lose a single gram. I’m both mentally and physically prepared to fight Donaire. I’ll do to him what I did to (A. J.) Banal. I’ll pressure if he fights from a distance. I’ll backtrack if he comes in. Whatever he does, I’m ready. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get the title. What matters is I’m out to beat Donaire.”

Concepcion said he’s not bothered by the $13,000 fine because “it’s only money.”

Kizer said it’s lucky that fighters don’t come in overweight too often. “But it happens,” he noted. “Sometimes, no matter what you do, the body can’t take off any more weight and I guess that’s the time when you’ve outgrown your weight division. The call was for Donaire to make----whether or not to fight Concepcion, and he decided to get it on.”

The Panamanian has won 10 of his last 11 fights, the only loss a ninth round retirement to Jorge Arce last September. His biggest win was a 10th round stoppage of Banal in Cebu last year. His record is 13-3-1, with eight KOs, compared to Donaire’s 21-1, with 14 KOs.

Two other Filipinos are seeing action in the undercard. Virac’s Bernabe Concepcion takes on WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano of Los Angeles in a 12-round title bout while Bacolod City’s Mark Jason Melligen faces Mexican veteran Ernesto Zepeda in a superlightweight tenner.

Concepcion and Luevano both weighed in at 125 1/2 pounds. Melligen and Zepeda tipped the scales at 145 each. The fights, organized by Top Rank, will be shown on US pay-per-view at $34.95 a subscription.

Donaire sets goal to be like Manny

LAS VEGAS – Nonito Donaire Jr. said yesterday his fight against Panama’s Rafael (El Torito) Concepcion for the interim WBA superflyweight title is the first step towards achieving his goal of becoming a multi-divisional champion like Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and that’s why he can’t afford to lose.

Donaire takes on Concepcion at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino here tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila time).

So far, Donaire has won the IBF and IBO flyweight crowns, both of which he still holds despite moving up in weight to battle Concepcion. He said the decision to relinquish the titles or not is up to his manager Cameron Dunkin and his promoter Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

Pacquiao has won six championships in six different weight categories and will become the only fighter in history to capture seven if he dethrones WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here on Nov. 14.

“This is the beginning of my goal that I want to accomplish in boxing – to become a multi-divisional champion,” said Donaire. “So this is a very big step for me to achieve what I’ve set out to do.”

Donaire said he can’t take Concepcion lightly and described the Panamanian body puncher as a dangerous opponent because he’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“Concepcion is willing to try his best and take the punch,” he continued. “He has the heart to keep going and usually those are the dangerous guys because they’re willing to do anything they can.”

But Donaire insisted there’s nothing Concepcion can do to win.

“I feel good,” said Donaire on the eve of the weigh-in for the bout. “My weight’s good and I’ve trained really hard. With my new training, I feel I’ve gained more muscle mass so it feels like I’m still going down to 112. I do feel a lot better at 115. Definitely, the extra three pounds are a big help. I’m really confident. I’m out to use my speed and power to take care of business.”

Donaire, 26, said he’s definitely going for a knockout but if the complexion of the fight leans toward a war of attrition, a win by decision will be just as fulfilling.

“When I’m aiming for the knockout, it’s going to be power,” said Donaire. “When I’m aiming for a unanimous decision, it’ll be speed. Anything can change as the fight goes but I’m surely aiming for a knockout. In preparing for Concepcion, I didn’t really pay attention to his power and what he can do when reviewing tape. I mainly looked at his movements and flaws.”

As for Concepcion’s vaunted body attack, Donaire said he’s not intimidated. Concepcion, a durable survivor, was behind on points when he stopped Filipino prospect A. J. Banal with a brutal body assault in the 10th round in Cebu City last year. The victory proved Concepcion’s resiliency and never-say-die attitude. It was the same spirit that led Concepcion to a third round knockout over Jean Piero Perez last year after he went down twice in the second canto.

“Every one I’ve fought always bragged they’d slow me down with a body attack and a lot of them usually aim for my body so that’s nothing new to me,” he said. “I’m well prepared for everything he comes at me with.”

Donaire said working with Jonathan and Dodie Boy Peñalosa at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos in the Bay Area was a blessing. He sparred with Filipino Glenn Gonzales and David Martinez to get ready for Concepcion. Adding strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel to his team was another positive in training camp.

“My sparring was just right, not too much and not too little, just the right amount,” said Donaire. “Mentally and physically, I’m prepared for this fight and I can’t wait to get in that ring. For (Vic) Darchinyan, I was about 70 percent. I didn’t have much sparring but I was physically in shape. For (Luis) Maldonado, I trained hard in that fight as well but I had to get acclimatized to three places – the Philippines, the West Coast then the East Coast. And I had a lot of things going on so I really wasn’t at my best. For (Raul) Martinez, I was really in shape. I trained six months so I had a lot of confidence going into that ring. The sparring, the training and even the mental aspect was good.”

Donaire demolished Darnchinyan in five, Maldonado in eight and Martinez in four. He said he expects the same abbreviated ending against Concepcion.

In the co-main event, Virac’s Bernabe Concepcion faces WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano in a much-awaited bout that was postponed last May when the titleholder pulled a back muscle running down a hill.

It is the first world title attempt by Concepcion who hasn’t lost in his last 22 fights. Luevano is making the fifth defense of the WBO crown he wrested from Nicky Cook two years ago.