Donaire suffered injury in Darchinyan fight

MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire suffered an injury during his 10-round featherweight showdown against Armenian Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan yesterday in Texas.

Donaire overcame a sluggish start and eventually knocked out Darchinyan in the ninth round – but not before contemplating giving up sometime in the middle of the fight.

“When he hit me in the cheek, I felt like he broke my cheek. Part of my mind was like, ‘Is this it for me? I’m losing the fight. Should I keep going?’” Donaire said. “But I put my heart into it, and you know what, I will never ever quit.”

Donaire revealed to "Umagang Kay Ganda" on Monday that he had sustained an orbital fracture in the fifth round.

“Na-injure kasi ako sa fight, sa fifth round. Natamaan ako sa cheek. Orbital fracture ang sabi ng doctor,” explained Donaire.

But Donaire said he drew strength and inspiration from his fellow Filipinos, thousands of whom are dealing with the aftermath of super typhoon Yolanda.

“Parang ang sakit kasi sa mukha. Lumabas sa isipan ko na baka, ‘okay na lang, okay na lang.’ Pero sabi ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko pwedeng magawa talaga na sumuko,” he said.

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko na, ‘I have to do this.’ Hindi lang ito sa sarili ko. Wala ito kumpara sa lahat ng nangyari d’yan,” he added.

Donaire was trailing on two of the judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

He plans to rest for a while but will fly to the Philippines if given a medical clearance.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Odds makers favor Donaire over Darchinyan

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Nonito Donaire Jr. had a fruitful camp in Las Vegas and Oxnard, where he trained with fellow boxer Brandon Rios.

Both Rios and Donaire train under the watchful eyes of coach Robert Garcia

“Ibibigay ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko, nag-training ako ng husto.. I'll be ready for the fight,” said Donaire, who is up for a rematch against Vic Darchinyan.

Donaire will slug it out in a triple headline at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas this Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

“The Filipino Flash” said that he will dedicate the fight to his fellow Filipinos.

Online betting sites favor Donaire over his Armenian opponent.

A $1,000-bet on Donaire could yield $100, while a $100 bet on the underdog Darchiyan could yield $660.

This, more or less, reflects the predictions of some boxing analysts.

Veteran sports writer Kevin Iole said he expects Donaire to knock out the Armenian boxer, noting that the Filipino is in his prime of his boxing career.

“I like Nonito Donaire as a fighter… Nonito should score a win by knock out on that fight,” said Iole.

“I think Darchinyan is coming up in weight, he feels better at this weight. However, I think he is still not gonna be able to stop Nonito's speed, he is not gonna be able to counter that Nonito's got power,” said Jaime Motta of Univision Sports.

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. also picked Donaire for a win but not with a knockout.

“Knockout sometimes come, sometimes not, but I think he'll win the fight,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Donaire picked to win against Darchinyan

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is expected to seal his comeback with a victory against Vic Darchinyan this weekend.

Donaire will slug it out in a triple headline at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas this Saturday.

Before leaving Las Vegas, he geared up for his upcoming fight with heavy and intense training, practicing on his ferocious punches, and testing the accuracy of each punch.

Six months after the birth of his son Jarel, Donaire said he is more inspired this time because his dad Donaire Sr. is on his camp.

“Ibibigay ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko. Nag-training ako ng husto… I'll be ready for the fight,” he said.

Veteran sports writer Kevin Iole said he expects Donaire to knock out the Armenian boxer, noting that the Filipino is in his prime of his boxing career.

“I like Nonito Donaire but you know Nonito just had a couple of bad performances. He needs to step up. He showed no adjustment against Rigondeaux and I think Nonito is really a talented guy,” said Iole. “I like Nonito Donaire as a fighter… Nonito should score a win by knock out on that fight.”

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. also picked Donaire for a win but not with a knockout.

“Knockout sometimes come sometimes not, but I think he'll win the fight,” he said.

Meanwhile, some boxing analysts said that even though Donaire has the edge in terms of power and speed over Darchinyan, the Filipino Flash still needs to take this fight seriously.

“I think Darchinyan is coming up in weight he feels better as this weight. However, I think he is still not gonna be able to stop Nonito's speed he is not gonna be able to counter that Nonito's got power,” said Jaime Motta of Univision Sports.

“I think we could see the same result… Another knockout by Nonito. The one thing he does have to do is go back to his roots, he needs to box. He can’t let all the press and all the accolades get in to his head and just think that he is going to win just because he is stepping in the ring.

“I think he is probably taking a li’l bit more serious now. I think his loss to [Guillermo] Rigondeaux really hit home,” concluded Motta.

The fight will air Sunday morning on the ABS-CBN Channel 2 with an evening replay on Studio 23.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com