IBF flyweight champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire says he?s "training really hard" for his title defense against mandatory challenger Moruti Mthalane of South Africa at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Californian California on November 1.
Donaire spoke to www.insidesports.ph, Manila Standard and Viva Sports after what he described as "a pretty good workout" adding that "today I feel like a beast. I am training really, really hard and feel really good" although he hasn?t started sparring as yet.
Both Nonito and his father/trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. put a premium on physical condition, skill and development of punching power rather than excessive sparring.
Donaire has been training for the past week at the Top Rank Gym where he said WBA featherweight champion Edwin Valero also trains.
Donaire referred to Mthalane as a "Dingo" because he?s like a wild dog and "keeps running and running and has all that stamina." He said stamina is one thing "we are trying to build up to be at par" with his opponent.
Donaire said "they know I got the power but in terms of stamina I want to be at that level or even higher."
The 25 year old Filipino who has a record of 19-1 with 12 knockouts said that he weighed 125 pounds Friday morning after his workout. Her noted that for his last fight which was his first title defense against Luis Maldonado which he won by an 8th round TKO on December 1, 2007, he had to come down from 140 pounds and that this time around his weight was much better in terms of control.
He said "I feel good, I?m eating a little bit, looking after myself well and maintaining my diet and my weight."
Mthalane who is handled by well-known international promoter Branco Milenkovic of South Africa is expected to be a tough opponent for Donaire. He is coming off a lopsided unanimous twelve round decision in an eliminator against Hussein Hussein of Australia whose title fight with Donaire in Dubai last April was called off.
Donaire who won the title via a sensational, one-punch knockout of cocky Australian Vic Darchinyan who went on to win the IBF super flyweight title beating Dimitri Kirilov, realizes he hasn?t fought for almost one year and that he?s got to shake off some ring rust. However this should be no problem for the talented and dedicated world champion.
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Ronnie Nathanielsz.