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Donaire dedicates fight to dad
Written by staff   
Saturday, 14 February 2009 01:46

Donaire dedicates fight to dad In a major step towards reconciliation, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said the other day he is dedicating his next defense against unbeaten Mexican Raul (Cobra) Martinez to his estranged father Nonito Sr. from whom he severed ties after a falling out.

Nonito Sr., 50, had trained Donaire since his amateur days and was in his corner when the Flash dethroned previously undefeated Vic Darchinyan to wrest the IBF crown two years ago. But after Donaire repulsed challenger Moruti Mthalane in his second defense last November, things soured between father and son.

The rift apparently developed when Donaire’s wife Rachel took over managing the fighter’s affairs from his father.

Now, Donaire is training with WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and his brothers Jonathan and Dodie Boy in Baguio City while Nonito Sr. is taking care of five pros in North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol’s Braveheart stable and 15 others in Engineer Yani Sta. Cruz’ stable in Cebu.

Despite the split, Donaire said he will never turn his back on his father. Penalosa himself sought permission from Nonito, Sr. before agreeing to train Donaire who called the decision to switch a career move.

“It’s not about who’s the better trainer, Gerry or my dad,” explained Donaire. “It’s about gaining a different perspective and learning from experience. Gerry, as a world champion, has different strengths and gives the perspective and experience that will help me become a better fighter. It’s about acknowledging the great foundation my dad has laid in making me a world champion and enhancing it.”

Donaire said it’s not uncommon for a fighter to change trainers. Sugar Shane Mosley, for one, replaced his father Jack with Nazim Richardson as his trainer for the recent fight against Antonio Margarito and it paid off handsome dividends as the 37-year-old scored an upset ninth round knockout.

“Every pro athlete switches coaches when they plateau,” continued Donaire. “Tiger Woods and Manny Pacquiao are examples. The body morphs and adapts, as personified by Pacquiao. The result is an ongoing quest for perfection that is a moving entity. The secret is to constantly reinvent myself to keep up with my changing body, the sport of boxing, the new techniques of training as well as the variety of challenging opponents who will be stepping into the ring to test me.”

Donaire’s wife Rachel said her role in training camp is to support her husband.

“When a man is at work, the wife answers calls and schedules appointments,” she said. “Jun is working until March 22. It’s no different. Gerry told me his wife Goody goes to his training and Jinkee is with Manny until the day of his fight. Like Goody and Jinkee, whatever and however my husband wants me to support him, I will. That’s what good marriages are about, how strong we are against the opposition.”

Nonito Sr. said he hasn’t heard from his son since their split last November.

“There is no communication,” he said. “Of course, I miss him. He’s my son. It’s really up to him where he wants his career to go. All I want him to know is that I never stole anything from him. If he’s not happy with the way we work, I respect that. In the camp for Mthalane, it wasn’t the same as before. We used to joke around and have fun. But in preparing for Mthalane, there was no harmony. The atmosphere was different. I don’t know why. No matter what, I love my son as I do all my children. I want him to be happy and I want him to succeed.”

Nonito Sr. confirmed that Penalosa asked his permission to train Donaire.

“Gerry called me on the phone and asked for my blessing,” said Nonito, Sr. “I told him okay. Jun-Jun will learn a lot from Gerry and his brothers. If that’s what makes him happy, it’s fine with me.”

As for continuing to fight in the flyweight division, Nonito Sr. said it’s no problem for Donaire.

“Jun-Jun is a disciplined fighter,” he said. “If that’s the limit for his next fight, that’s what he’ll weigh. My advice for him is to train hard. He must know who are there only during the good times. If you’re down, no one is there for you. My goal right now is to prove that I can create another world champion.”

Nonito Sr. is now based in Cebu and his nephews are training about 18 amateurs at the Kennel Gym, which he started in San Leandro, California.

“I might leave for the US next month to train Ana Julaton who’s waiting for me,” said Nonito Sr. “If her fight pushes through, I’ll fly over then come back.”

Donaire’s fight against Martinez is set for March 22 at the Araneta Coliseum. Martinez, 27, has a 24-0 record, with 17 KOs, and is the IBA superflyweight champion. Last November, he weighed 113 1/2 pounds in knocking out Victor Proa in one round in Philadelphia. Three years ago, Martinez tipped the scales at 119 in halting Andres Ledesma. For Donaire, the Cobra will trim down to 112.

Martinez is the fourth fighter lined up for Donaire after Fernando Montiel, Jose Lopez and Eric Ortiz were scratched. In the companion main event, Brain Viloria will take on IBF lightflyweight titlist Ulises Mexico in a 12-round championship bout. Solar Sports and Top Rank are co-promoting the Big Dome card.
 
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