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.

Watch Donaire vs Concepcion Fight Replay Video

Donaire vs Concepcion Fight Replay Video

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.

Concepcion fails to make weight

RAFAEL Concepcion failed to make the 115-pound limit during the official weigh-in for his fight against Nonito Donaire for the interim World Boxing Association super flyweight title in the main event of the Pinoy Power 2 in Las Vegas today.

Concepcion weighed in four and a half pounds over the super flyweight limit, while Donaire was on target at 115 pounds.

Even if Concepcion wins today’s bout, he won’t earn the belt.

He was also fined 20 percent of his purse, which is about $13,000.

Half of the amount will be added to the 26-year-old Donaire’s prize money, while the other half will be given to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

The 27-year-old Concepcion also had problems in making the super flyweight limit in his world title clash with ALA Gym standout AJ Banal last year but still made the weight after running around SM City Cebu.

Concepcion won that fight and stopped Banal in the 10th round.

Donaire held the International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight belts after destroying Vic Darchinyan, but vacated the titles after moving up in weight.

Other Filipino fighters in the undercard of the “Pinoy Power 2” are highly regarded prospect Bernabe Concepcion and talented ALA Gym fighter “Mighty” Mark Jason Melligen.

Concepcion (29-1-1, 16 KO’s) is vying for the World Boxing Organization featherweight title currently held by Steven Luevano (36-1-1, 15 KOs), while Melligen (15-1, 11 KOs) is up against veteran Mexican Ernesto Zepeda (39-12-4, 34 KOs).

Donaire ready for Concepcion

NONITO Donaire Jr. is all set for this Sunday’s main event in the “Pinoy Power 2” against Rafael Concepcion.

Donaire has been training hard in Las Vegas for his super flyweight debut under trainers Jonathan and Dodie Boy Peñalosa and strength coach Michael Bazzle.

He is all geared up for his battle and is confident that he can counter anything that Concepcion will do on fight night.

“I’m training the best I can to be ready for whatever he (Concepcion) comes at me,” Donaire said in a report posted at GMANews.tv.

The 27-year-old Concepcion is known for his powerful body shots. He used them to destroy highly-regarded ALA boy AJ Banal in their interim WBA super flyweight clash last year at the Cebu Coliseum last year.

“I’ve seen a few of Concepcion’s fights on the web. He’s a tough guy with heavy hands. We know that we are prepared however this fight may go,” said Donaire.

Donaire is 21-1 with 14 KOs, while Concepcion is 13-3-1 with 8 KOs.

Also seeing action in the “Pinoy Power 2” boxing showdown are Filipinos Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen.

Concepcion will be vying for the World Boxing Organization featherweight of Steven Luevano, while ALA boy Melligen will test his mettle against tough Mexican fighter Michael Rosales.