Inside of the boxing ring, Nonito Donaire Jr. is one of the most gifted athlete’s in the sport today. From the ability to switch stances at the drop of a dime, his unorthodox attack from all angles, and the speed and power he possesses, Donaire is definitely a special kid. But anybody looking to expect any of that magic at today’s open media workout for Donaire’s clash this Saturday night against Fernando Montiel would have been out of luck.
Donaire challenges Montiel for his WBC and WBO bantamweight crowns at the Mandalay Bay and the two men made a quick stop at the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas earlier today with the fight just three days away. Donaire had been training rigorously in San Carlos, California at the Undisputed Boxing Gym and it’s obvious that the majority of his preparation has already been put in the bank, as he didn’t even bother to work out for the assembled media.
<— Slideshow: Nonito Donaire inisde the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas
Donaire was able to answer a wide range of topics from the media, which included the likes of AOL Fanhouse’s Lem Satterfield, Yahoo!’s Kevin Iole, The Inquirer’s Ronnie Nathanielsz, and a slew of BoxingScene.com correspondents, amongst others.
Donaire spoke on his December blowout of tough Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko, claiming he never expected for his power to have that kind of effect in his first fight at 118 pounds. Donaire stopped the former champion in four one-sided rounds at the Honda Center in Carson, California in one of last year’s more electrifying knockouts.
Donaire also spoke of his countryman Manny Pacquiao and his initial refusal to go through with random blood testing against Floyd Mayweather Jr. for a fight between the two. Donaire said it was simply a matter of pride from Pacquiao, who has since lightened his stance on the subject.
Donaire of course has been working with Victor Conte, infamous for his BALCO scandal with Shane Mosley, but doesn’t worry about his association with the nutritionist, noting that he was a great person to have in the corner. When asked his take on blood testing, Donaire pulled up his sleeves, stating ‘I have a big vein right here’ as if to challenge anyone in question to test him.
After his interviews with the press Donaire posed for pictures and then slipped out of the building, unnoticed by my eyes. I was expecting Donaire to participate in a light workout but was later advised that he had left for the day.
