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Donaire father on champion son’s world-title chase: Kaya pa niya

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ABS-CBN News

The father and former trainer of five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. believes “the Filipino Flash” still has what it takes to win another world crown.But Nonito Sr. is wary about his son’s chances against defending WBA world bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett, noting how the young Donaire has been training the past few years.Donaire, 35, (38-5, 24 knockouts) is set to battle Burnett, 26, (19-0, 9 KOs) in a 12-round title fight early morning of Sunday (Manila time) at SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.“Kaya pa ni Junjun (Donaire Jr.’s nickname), ang ano lang . . . magsipag siya lalo na sa training. Focus lang siya sa boxing kasi wala naman siyang ibang trabaho,” revealed Donaire Sr. “Ang ginagawa niya kasi sa training, four days a week lang. Dapat six days a week.”Donaire Sr. said he does not favor the reason of his son about taking a few days off while in training camp, citing its supposed importance of resting his body after days of grueling sparring, gym and road works.“Malaking bagay na ’yung isang araw na hindi ka mag-training. Kahit na sabihin mong nakapahinga ka nu’n, mawawala naman halos ’yung whole week na training mo,” added Donaire.While the Donaires no longer work together as boxer-trainer, the two have been in speaking terms of late after years of being estranged since the young Donaire married his wife Rachel.It was actually Rachel who paved the way for the two to reconcile and eventually reunite at a time when the couple had their first born, Jarel.“A month ago bago ako umalis sa US pabalik dito sa GenSan (General Santos City) nag-message siya at tinanong ako ano ang pwede niyang gawin against Burnett. Sabi ko lang is tignan niya ’yung galaw niya du’n sa laban na magkasama kami,” said Donaire Sr., who is setting up a sports bar in southern Philippines.“Sabi ko ibalik niya ’yung galawa niya. Andu’n pa din ’yung lakas niya pero sabi ko don’t rely on your power punches. Dapat smart ka rito kasi mas malaki ka sa kalaban mo.”As for Donaire Jr. moving down in weight after years of campaigning as a featherweight, the father sees no problem with it as the 118-lb class is actually the regular division of the Las Vegas-based multi-division kingpin.“Ever since talaga sinabi ko na sa kaniya na sa 118 talaga siya. ’Yung bone structure niya kasi maliit. Ang nagpapabigat lang sa kaniya ’yung taba,” said Donaire, Sr.Style-wise, the elder Donaire believes his son is the more superior fighter compared with Burnett, that is if the young Donaire would employ the proper fight plan.“Kung hindi pa niya makuha ito palagay ko panahon na para magretiro siya kasi mas maliit ’yung kalaban niya, kung tutuusin kayang kaya niya naman (si Burnett). Nasa diskarte na din ng trainer niya,” said Donaire.Meantime, Donaire was quick to clarify that he has no intention of getting back his old role with his son’s ring career.“Sinabi ko na noon na mas maganda na ito na maganda ang relasyon namin ngayon kesa sa magsasama kami. Mas mabuti pa na ganito na lang,’ said Donaire Sr.Donaire Jr. last fought as a bantamweight seven years ago when he successfully defended his WBC and WBO crowns by decisioning Omar Narvaez of Argentina in their 12-round title fight last October 2011 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.Eight months before defeating Narvaez, Donaire scored one of the biggest wins of his career when he stopped Mexican superstar Fernando Montiel in the second round of their 12-round WBC/WBO bantamweight title bout in Las Vegas, Nevada.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

The father and former trainer of five-division world champ Nonito Donaire Jr. believes “the Filipino Flash” still has what it takes to win another world crown.

The father and former trainer of five-division world champ Nonito Donaire Jr. believes “the Filipino Flash” still has what it takes to win another world crown.