LOS ANGELES, March 16 – Golden Boy Promotions is extremely pleased to announce the signing of Two-Division World Champion Nonito Donaire to its roster of fighters. The 28-year-old native of the Philippines is coming off of a dominant second round stoppage of Fernando Montiel on February 19, which earned him the WBC and WBO Bantamweight World Titles. Now, as he looks to continue his reign as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers today, “The Filipino Flash” has signed an exclusive, multi-year agreement with Golden Boy Promotions.

“Nonito Donaire is one of the top boxers in the world today and we’re going to make sure he gets the chance to defend his world titles and stays as active as possible,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “The bantamweight division is becoming one of the most competitive and exciting divisions in boxing and we look forward to promoting Nonito in great fights in the coming years.”

“I’m honored to be joining so many great fighters and champions on the Golden Boy Promotions team, with,” said Donaire. “I’m going to fight my heart out every time I’m in the ring and will give fans the fights they want to see.”

A native of Talibon, Bohol, Philippines who now resides in San Leandro, California, Donaire (26-1, 18 KO’s) is unbeaten since his lone loss in his first year as a professional in 2001. Since then, he has defeated everyone put in his path, and in July of 2007, he won the IBF and IBO Flyweight World Titles with a fifth round knockout of then-unbeaten Vic “Raging Bull” Darchiniyan. He went on to defend his titles three times before winning the WBA Super Flyweight Interim World Title with a unanimous decision victory over Rafael “Torito” Concepcion in August of 2009, which he then successfully defended in August of 2010 against Hernan “Tyson” Marquez. Following the Marquez fight, Donaire moved up to the bantamweight division where in just his second bout at the new weight, he shocked the boxing world with the ease with which he dominated Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel in February. In 2011, Donaire will look to defend his new crown with Golden Boy Promotions in his corner.

About Golden Boy Promotions:

Los Angeles-based Golden Boy Promotions was established in 2002 by Oscar de la Hoya, the first Hispanic to own a national boxing promotional company. In 2007, in its fifth year of promoting, Golden Boy Promotions set a record by selling over 2.5 million in pay-per-view homes in a single night. Also in 2007, Golden Boy Promotions established the record for highest grossing pay-per-view homes in a single year with more than 4 million total. In 2009, the company broke records again by breaking the million mark in pay-per-view homes again with the return of Floyd Mayweather against Juan Manuel Marquez. Golden Boy Promotions is one of boxing’s most active and respected promoters, presenting shows in packed venues around the United States and the world on networks such as HBO, HBO Latino, HBO Plus, SHOWTIME, TeleFutura, Televisa, ESPN2 and Fox Sports Net.

Golden Boy Promotions currently has over 70 fighters under contract, from future Hall of Famers Bernard Hopkins and Juan Manuel Marquez to current world champions and superstars Nonito Donaire, Amir Khan, David Haye, Saul Alvarez and Chris John. Also included on the company’s roster are top contenders Marcos Maidana, Robert Guerrero, Victor Ortiz, Daniel Ponce De Leon, Librado Andrade and Abner Mares as well as highly regarded prospects Adrien Broner, Danny Garcia, Frankie Gomez, Erislandy Lara, Seth Mitchell, Carlos Velasquez and Deontay Wilder.

Some boxing aficionados were suspicious of Nonito Donaire’s talents during the promotion of the young Filipino’s fight with Mexico’s WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel. Most of these aficionados’ wrongheaded ways were righted by the Donaire left that took Montiel’s mind right away. Donaire claimed those suspicions with grace and violence.

But a few stubborn members of the aficionado ranks remain. There is but one way for Donaire to undo these men’s obduracy. And lucky for us, that way is the one Donaire says he wants to go. More about that in a bit.

Saturday night at Mandalay Bay, Donaire did no wrong – not one wrong step, slip or punch – as he razed Montiel in a fight that was supposed to be super, wasn’t, but did end in superlative fashion. Donaire stopped Montiel ultimately with a flurry of afterthought punches at 2:25 of round 2. But by then he’d changed the trajectory of his career with a left hook that surprised Montiel, and everyone else.

Even serious boxing fans were forgiven their disbelief at Saturday’s spectacle. For most of us, after all, Nonito Donaire was the guy who stretched Vic Darchinyan on Showtime 40 months ago, left promoter Gary Shaw and disappeared into promoter Top Rank’s farm system, making reportedly excellent if alliterative progress on Pinoy Power pay-per-view programs.

By 2010 Donaire was lost to the public. While specialists knew of his technical acumen, most everyone else assumed Top Rank already had its Filipino superstar in Manny Pacquiao – and one was enough. Rabid as boxing’s supporters in the Philippines were, there was only so much money to be squeezed from the world’s number 46 economy.

How well Top Rank has handled Donaire’s career is debatable. How well Top Rank has developed Donaire as a prizefighter, though, is not.

Since his one-punch flattening of Darchinyan in 2007, Donaire had fought seven times against very good if not well-known opponents, men with a cumulative record of 170-13-5, and he’d gone 7-0 (6 KOs) while doing it. But none of them had much tested him, and only one had been undefeated when Donaire got to him.

Hence the suspicions. As usual, doubts about a Top Rank fighter’s otherwise remarkable achievements are a backhanded compliment to matchmaker Bruce Trampler. There are few fighters in the world who beat other men effectively as Trampler handicaps them. Trampler makes great fighters. And his brilliance might just be that rarest thing in our beloved, embellished sport: an underestimated entity.

Which is why a few folks out there remain shy of totally convinced by what their eyes saw Saturday when Donaire obliterated a man many suspected was, at worst, the world’s second-best bantamweight.

But Montiel was a 31 year-old tactician on a 12-fight unbeaten streak, for goodness’ sake! And he knocked-out Hozumi Hasegawa in Tokyo – something our prizefighting betters assured us was without precedent in modern bantamweight history.

Well, maybe. But what some saw Saturday was the same old Fernando Montiel, the guy who looked pretty good against Pramuansak Posuwan in Boxing World Cup ’05 and then pretty bad against Jhonny Gonzalez seven months later. When that impression was married to the data from HBO’s unofficial fight-night scale, showing Montiel’s body had grown 13 percent in fewer than 30 hours, the venti cup of credibility poured for us last week had some room left at the top.

Things aren’t the way they used to be. HBO’s trustworthiness as a boxing programmer in the last five years has been publicly challenged often enough, and by sources credible enough, that no subscriber any longer assumes a fight or fighter is great because HBO says so. The on-air talent knows this and often takes an apologetic or even defensive bent in its broadcasts; only Roy Jones Jr. remains an evangelist.

But none of this undermines how good Donaire looked Saturday. From the opening minute, he was in an entirely different class from Montiel’s. Where the Mexican looked tense and doubtful, Donaire looked fluid and assured. Where Montiel threw tentative range-finding punches, Donaire uncoiled counter hooks flamboyant for their commitment so early in a championship fight.

Donaire did not go after Montiel as a world champion making a title defense on boxing-television’s largest stage; he went after him like Montiel was just another hand-picked extra in an off-Broadway pay-per-view show. Montiel may not have been everything others promised, but he was still a hell of a lot better than Donaire made him look.

And because of the way he comported himself both during and after the fight, you have to believe Donaire when he says the few jabs and tentative right hands Montiel landed in the second stanza were part of a plan. First, Donaire allowed Montiel to touch him with the left. Then, when that succeeded, Donaire allowed Montiel to hang his jab, trigger a weak right-hand from Donaire, and try a left-hook counter behind it.

Soon as Montiel was confident enough to commit to a right cross, Donaire had him unconscious on the canvas, legs and arms twitching like a beetle tipped on its shell.

And that wasn’t enough? No, not quite. There is, after all, a Bantamweight Tournament being fought on Showtime. Its champion will be decided in Los Angeles two months from now. Whether he is Joseph Agbeko or Abner Mares, that champion will have undergone a more-public test than Donaire has. Will Mares or Agbeko fair any better against Donaire than Montiel did? Maybe not. But we won’t know till they fight.

Asked for his future plans, Saturday, Donaire said exactly the right thing: “I think that I want to be undisputed in this weight class.”

If Donaire handles the winner of the Bantamweight Tournament successfully, we’ll know he is the future of boxing. If not, we’ll have to see what boxing holds for Donaire’s future.

GOLDEN GLOVES
Writing of boxing’s future, at least in South Texas, it will be on display this week in San Antonio when the city hosts its 2011 Regional Golden Gloves Tournament. Festivities begin Tuesday night at 7:30 PM in the Woodlawn Gym on Cincinnati Avenue and culminate Saturday night at the majestic Municipal Auditorium, downtown.

You want a darkhorse pick? Happily: San Antonio Parks & Rec’s Benjamin Mendoza in the sub-novice heavyweight division.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com.

LAS VEGAS –He called himself No. 2 on the Filipino ticket, but Nonito Donaire was No. 1 in the ring Saturday night. As a bantamweight, he is all by himself. A guessing game will soon ensue about how long he will stay at 118 pounds. Bigger things await Donaire.

Within seven minutes, however, General Santos City in The Philippines emerged on the boxing map like no other piece of modern real estate. It is more than Manny Pacquiao’s hometown. Donaire was born there, too.
There must be some punch in the water.

Donaire threw a huge one to stop the accomplished Fernando Montiel in the second round of a bout for two pieces of the bantamweight title. Montiel missed with a right. Donaire countered with a left, which traveled in an orbit-like loop and landed on Montiel’s chin with the impact of a baseball bat.

“I’m very surprised he got up,’’ said Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs), who earned $350,000, $100,000 more than Montiel’s purse.

Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KOs), who lost the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization versions of the title, went down as if he had been dropped onto the canvas from a diving board. The Mexican landed on his back in a flop. His legs twitched one way, then another. His arms and upper body moved, almost as if he were trying to regain control of nerve endings that connected him to consciousness. He did, long enough to get up and onto his feet. He stumbled in a futile attempt to re-gain his balance.

Referee Russell Mora must have thought that he had. Mora signaled for the fight to continue.

It did for a maybe a couple of seconds. Donaire threw a couple of punches that quickly indicated Montiel was defenseless. Mora ended it, calling it a TKO at 2:25 of the second.

But there was nothing technical about a knockout that makes Donaire the world’s best bantamweight, a future contender in the featherweight divisions, a rising factor in the pound-for-pound debate and the second-best fighter from General Santos City.

Mike Jones and Jesus Soto-Karass got it right the second time around.

The controversy of Jones victory by majority decision in November was swept away Saturday night at Mandalay Bay with poise Jones and guts by Soto-Karass.

Jones (24-0, 18 KOs) won another decision. But this one was unanimous on the scorecards and unanimous for its brilliance. Duane Ford scored it 115-113, Robert Hoyle 116-112 and Ricardo Ocasio 117-111, for Jones. The crowd roared in approval for both.

Cuts near each eye in the third seemed to put Soto-Karass (24-6-3, 16 KOs) in early jeopardy. Before the fourth, it looked as if Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer and one of the four ringside physicians were about to stop a bout, scheduled for 12 rounds on a card featured by Nonito Donaire’s second-round stoppage of Fernando Montiel for two pieces of the bantamweight title.

Blood poured from a cut near the outside of Soto-Karass’ left eye. That one was caused by a head butt. There was more blood flowing from another cut near the outside of his right eye. It looked as if a Jones’ punch caused that one. Blood flowed like tears. But Soto-Karass wasn’t crying.

If anything, he appeared energized, emboldened by his wounds. He could taste the sense of urgency. He jumped off his stool and raced at Jones throughout the fourth, gesturing at him as if he were inviting him inside for a closer look at the carnage. Jones played it smart.

He stayed away, backed away, from the dangerous, courageous Soto-Karass. While Soto-Karass saw less and less. Jones could see what was happening. He waited with patience and enough quickness to score with range and precision.

In the ninth, a long Jones punch opened up another cut on the inside of Soto-Karass’ left eye. By then, it was only a matter of time before the end, before Jones celebrated a victory and everybody else celebrated a great fight.

Four hours before Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel entered the Mandalay Bay ring, the card began in a chilly and empty arena Saturday with Denver junior-welterweight Mike Alvarado (29-0, 21 KOs) in a bid to restore his chances at being a contender in the crowded 140-pound division after a stretch in jail on a parole violation.

Alvarado, who did time on a domestic violence charge and driving offenses, needed some work. He got four rounds. Alvarado’s tune-up turned into target practice against Englishman Dean Harrison (16-5, 5 KOs), a TKO loser who was left bloodied, beaten and unable to continue after the fourth of a scheduled eight.

The undercard’s best: Welterweight Mark Melligen (21-2, 14 KOs), who had the Filipino flag on his trunks and Filipino fans in his corner, didn’t disappoint his countrymen with a unanimous decision over Mexican Gabriel Martinez (27-2-1, 14 KOs), who staged a ninth-round rally that was too late to save him from a one-sided loss on the scorecards.

The worst: Dallas lightweight Jose Hernandez (10-4-1, 4 KOs) had the fans screaming Si Se Puede, Si Se Puede. Either the judges don’t speak Spanish or they didn’t hear a chant that means Yes We Can, Yes We Can. Hernandez’ bid for an upset of unbeaten Mickey Bey of Cleveland (16-0-1, 8 KOs) fell a few points short. CJ Ross and Glenn Trowbridge scored it even, 76-76, each. Lisa Giampa gave it to Bey, 78-74, for a majority draw booed by a majority of the fans.

The rest: Welterweight prospect Yordenis Ugas (6-0, 3 KOs), a Cuban bronze medalist at the 2008 Olympics, continued his apprenticeship with a unanimous decision over a Sacramento opponent, Carlos Musquez (3-3-4, 3 KOs), who rocked Ugas in the opening round, yet did little throughout the next five.

LAS VEGAS – There was no discrepancy on the official scale, but there was one about the timing Friday before Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel weighed the mandatory 118 pounds for their bantamweight showdown Saturday night at Mandalay Bay.

There was talk that Montiel was annoyed that the weigh-in was delayed for about 25 minutes. Montiel’s representatives said Donaire was about a half-pound heavy when he tested the scale before the weigh-in was scheduled to happen in front of media and fans at a bar on the casino floor. The delay gave Donaire time to make weight, they said.

Donaire is listed at 5 feet -7, or three inches taller than 5-4 Montiel.

Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs), who is fighting for only the second time at 118, looks as if he could comfortably add weight and fight at a super-bantam (122) or featherweight (126). A move up in weight appears to be the plan for Donaire, a Filipino native who was born in General Santos City, also Manny Pacquiao’s hometown.

Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs), who holds the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization titles, has been campaigning at 118 since late 2008. His experience at the weight is thought to be a significant advantage, although Donaire was a 3-1 betting favorite late Friday.

Meanwhile, Jesus Soto-Karass was 146 pounds, one under the welterweight’s mandatory 147, for his rematch against Mike Jones. Jones, who won a majority decision over Soto-Karass in November at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex., was 147.

Nonito Donaire faces expectations that are growing into a challenge more dangerous than even Fernando Montiel. The next Manny Pacquaio? The next bantamweight champion should be enough, but it isn’t for an audience and nation that apparently thinks Donaire will be the next Filipino boxer to visit the White House.

The next syndrome has undercut countless other careers. The next John Wooden never had a chance. Unfortunate Roger Maris could never be the next Babe Ruth. But here’s Donaire, a good fighter, already being asked to satisfy the Filipino appetite for another Pacquiao. There will only be one, especially after Pacquiao’s visit with President Obama further cemented a unique ascendancy to stardom attained by few.

Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) can beat the accomplished Montiel. He is still this corner’s pick by decision. Donaire’s recent victories, including a fourth-round dismantling of Volodymyr Sydorenko, are full of signs that indicate he is a fighter just entering his prime. Donaire is bigger than Montiel. Younger than Montiel. He looks more like a featherweight than a bantamweight.

But doubts have increased with each headline calling him the next this and the next that. There are a lot of longtime ringsiders who think Donaire only will be Montiel’s next knockout victim. For Donaire, the coincidence of Pacquiao’s visit with President Obama a few days before opening bell Saturday night at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay only heightens the pressure on him to do what is impossible.

At Thursday’s news conference, Montiel had the benefit of lessons from a country that already has learned from the perils of searching for the next Julio Cesar Chavez. In Mexico, there will only be one Chavez.

“No one’s ever going to be Julio Cesar Chavez,’’ said Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs), who wants to become the first Mexican to win titles in four weight classes. “No one is ever going to come close to that.”

For Montiel, that acknowledgement allows him to be himself. For Donaire, there’s a lingering question about whether all of the attention on Pacquiao will be a distraction — a feint that takes his focus off the danger in front of him. There’s some irony in that. Pacquiao’s last fight was preceded by swirling stories about distractions that were supposed to have been his undoing against Antonio Margarito. Pacquiao conquered them and Margarito.

“I will be very happy if Nonito Donaire continues to win and beats all the top fighters and reaches the prominent position he is capable of,’’ promoter Bob Arum said.

But, Arum warned, Muhammad Ali couldn’t be cloned.

“You couldn’t duplicate Sugar Ray Leonard,” Arum said. “You can’t duplicate. But you forge your own story and that’s what Nonito is in the process of doing.

“It remains to be seen whether it resonates as much as Pacquiao or Leonard or one of these other guys.
“He is trying to create a great story for himself.’’

If Donaire’s story is about anybody else Saturday night, he’ll have to create a comeback.

The best don’t normally fight each other much below Featherweight in Boxing and it’s even rarer to see them fight on HBO or Showtime. However late last year Showtime realised the potential in the Bantamweight class and looked to create another Super 6, which would of included consensus number one Fernando Montiel against Nonito Donaire who was moving up in weight but considered by many to have star potential. Ultimately a deal was struck outside of the confines of a Bantamweight Super 6 that meant Montiel would defend his WBC & WBO titles against Nonito Donaire and HBO happily picked up the fight which takes place this Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, NV. It’s a very attractive match up between two guys who’s styles mess very well, both have power, speed and excellent fundamentals. For his part Donaire 25-1(17) will be looking to in his own words “Sky rocket his career” he knows this fight holds the keys to possible stardom & crossover appeal enjoyed by only a handful of Boxers today. He has a massive upside and many believe him to be someone who can do much like his fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao did and move successfully through the several weight classes. At only 28 already conqueror of 2 worlds he seeks a third knowing this will be the toughest fight of his career.

Hello Nonito, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s on a terrific Bantamweight debut. Looking back on your fight with Wladimir Sidorenko what are your thoughts on the fight & how happy were you with your performance?

Nonito Donaire – I trained really hard for that fight. I was really happy with the performance. To be able to get to Montiel, I was set up to win, if I win then i would fight Montiel and I accomplished that. I felt strong at Bantamweight, my speed and power was there. I’m becoming more natural in the weight, I didn’t have to cut down to much. So I was really comfortable at Bantamweight.

Anson Wainwright – Your fighting Fernando Montiel at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this Saturday. That looks a fantastic fight. What do you think of that fight?

Nonito Donaire – I think it’s good for Boxing. You have two technical guys with power & speed, going in there. It’s a very interesting fight, it’s a fight to look forward too. I mean both Montiel & I want knock out wins. I’m going to go out there and try to knock him out. You’ve got two guys trying to prove who’s the best in the division. It’s going to be a good fight, a very exciting fight.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of Montiel?

Nonito Donaire – As a fighter, as a champion he’s been there for a long time. I think before I even turned pro he was a top guy. He knows what to do out there. He has tremendous power, tremendous experience. I want to beat Montiel. I think Montiel is the guys who’s going to Sky rocket my career to better fights and better deals.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & Promoter? Also what gym do you regularly train at?

Nonito Donaire – Right now for quite a few years actually i’ve worked with Cameron Dunkin as my manager. I work with a strength trainer Michael Bazzel, he does a lot of Pyometrics and stuff like that. I have my ART guy which is Active Release Technique, he’s a Chiropractor. He’s pretty much helped me out when i’m injured or have injuries or pain. He comes and fixes that for me, realigns my spine aswell. Then of course my two trainers Jonathan Penalosa who holds the mits for me and does the physical work for me and my other trainer is Robert Garcia who pretty much heads the strategic part of my fights. He’s out there talking to me in the corner. He’s making decisions on the fight, how I am going to be able to take advantage of my opponent. And of course my nutritionalist Victor Conte who pretty much helped me get the proper diet, the proper amount of minerals and nutrients in my body stuff like that and be healthy for the weigh in. Then I have my sprint trainer Rimi Korchemny. So I have all these guys who do all these things to prepare me mentally and physically. All these guys believe in me, so I have a very good team around me. Of course my wife pretty much does everything all around. I’m promoted by Top Rank and i’ve been with them going on 3 years. I train in San Carlos in California at Undisputed.

Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us about your early years growing up in The Philippines and later America? How did you first become interested in Boxing?

Nonito Donaire – Well it was very tough in the Philippines, my family didn’t have much money at all. We were poor a lot of the time my parents were trying to earn as much as they can because they had 4 children including me. They were trying to work as much as they could so we’d have food on the table. It was a difficult journey growing up. I didnt feel like anything would happen to me and then when we moved to the United States everything was very different. For the first time in my life I saw diversity. After a year or two my brother started Boxing and as much as I liked to box it felt like i needed my parents approval to make them proud of me and I thought that was the way. The way they looked at my brother everytime he won, they were proud. They were happy to see us win. That’s how i got started. The main part of that was my dad wanted us to be off the streets instead of going out with our friends he wanted us in the gym. Instead of hanging around doing nothing.

Anson Wainwright – Your coming out party was when you brutally KO’d Vic Darchinyan with one left hook in 2007. Is that how you see it and looking back what are your thoughts on that fight and why the rematch never took place?

Nonito Donaire – That fight we really worked hard for and studied Darchinyan. We were confident we’d win by knock out. When I was interviewed a week or two before the fighti said I was going to knock this guy out and we were able to accomplish that goal and everything changed form that point on. It was an incredible feeling to achieve what I had dreamed of since I was little becoming a world champion. I have no idea (Why the rematch never took place) after the Darchinyan & Maldonado fight I stayed more than a year without a fight, I don’t know what happened. I even stayed for a long time at 112 to be able to give him a rematch. When I was in the 115 division we were supposed to fight last year on Showtime August 21st and 3 months before the fight when I came to sign the contract they backed out, they said I was taking to long to sign the contract. Which was ridiculous because the fight was 3 months away. He said I took to long to sign and they didn’t want to wait for me. I was like it doesn’t matter when I sign the contract. My point is the first time I signed the contract at the weigh in and they never complained about that. I know he’s affraid of me and that’s why the rematch never happened. I waited to give him the opportunity but i’m done waiting around. So I fought Sidorenko and now i’m fighting Montiel. So i’m moving on.

Anson Wainwright – Your name was linked with a Super 6 in the Bantamweight division. Obviously that didn’t happen what are your thoughts on that & what do you think of the 4 man tournament and who do you think will win it?

Nonito Donaire – Well my goal was we were supposed to be in that tournament & Montiel. But Top Rank advised Montiel and then me to pull out and by doing so they’d give me Montiel. I believe Montiel is better than all of them. Those guys are world champions or world calibre fighters but I believe Montiel’s the best in the division right now and on Saturday 19th i’m better than him. That’s my goal that’s why I choose to stick with the Montiel fight.

Anson Wainwright – When your not fighting what is your walk around weight?

Nonito Donaire – Usually if I’m not doing anything maybe 140 or close to that. It was really tough to make 112. I was hungry and not happy. I think that’s why my performances have got a lot better and because of the guys working with me and I focus on my game plan or what’s going to happen and take advantage of my opponent, whereas before I would focus on losing weight and maintaining weight was my main focus. Now I’ll cut down on weight but not as much. But my main focus now is putting a game plan together and executing it.

Anson Wainwright – You won a world Title at Flyweight and have since moved up to 115 where you won an Interim belt and your now up at 118. Without getting ahead of ourselves how many more divisions do you think you can successfully fight in?

Nonito Donaire – I think I’ll be comfortable as I grow older and as the years go by up to 130 or higher.

Anson Wainwright – When your not Boxing what are your hobbies and Interests? What other sports do you like and what teams do you support?

Nonito Donaire – I do a lot of photography and filming doing a lot of stuff for my website. Doing some little films and things like that, that’s who I am. I love sports, when I was younger I used to play a lot Basketball, I used to do track and field, I played Soccer, I played football, baseball, I played a lot of sports. I still do, I play a little Basketball or Football but of course I can’t play as much now because when I play I get right into it and don’t want to get injured. I support the Bay area teams like the San Francisco Giants, in the world series or the 49’ers. I watch a lot of Basketball as well and like the Golden State Warriors the Kings. I watch a lot of Sports with my friends.

Anson Wainwright – Your countryman Manny Pacquiao has done wonderful things for Boxing in your country and in general. Could you tell us a little about your relationship with him and how you feel he’s helped create opportunity’s for Filipino’s?

Nonito Donaire – He’s done a lot. I met him in 2000. We actually went to the same school, without knowing that we did. If we see each other we’ll probably have lunch or dinner and we’ll talk for a little bit. He’s a very busy man. But he’s done a lot for the country, not only to inspire it but make it better for people to work together, just a lot of inspiration from that man has got me an a lot of people to work hard and to do the best for ourselves and for the country.

Anson Wainwright – How do you think the fight with Montiel will be viewed in The Philippines. Will it be similar to when Manny Pacquiao fight in that much of the country pretty much comes to a standstill and almost straight after there are bootleg DVD’s available?

Nonito Donaire – Yeah, that happens a lot, one time I fought and the next day they already had my fight in the bootleg section. That was pretty funny. The Philippines has so much love for Boxing, especially for world class fighters. When they fight the whole country stops and gives there support. It means a lot to me for them to do that, so far they’ve been watching my fights and giving me the ratings on the networks, who said it’s pretty high.

Anson Wainwright – How popular are you when you go back amongst the people?

Nonito Donaire – Yeah it’s hard when i’m walking in the mall there’s always someone who recognises me and take a picture, one comes a whole crowd comes. I’m truely blessed with that. It’s been really crazy. There promoting this fight really big in the Philippines.

Anson Wainwright – So if you win this fight, perhaps you’ll get the same treatment as Manny Pacquiao did on 24/7 when you turn up at the airport the plane is ready to leave when you are! Haha

Nonito Donaire – When it comes it comes! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Your fellow Filipino Z Gorres was very badly injured in 2009. How is he doing?

Nonito Donaire – I haven’t really talked to him. His wife facebooked my wife and Z Gorres was telling my wife he wished so bad he could of helped me with this fight. But the only thing he thing he can do for me is pray for me and give me his support. I know a lot of the ALA guys. They all support me the same way I support them.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Nonito Donaire – I want to thank each and everyone of them for there support and being there through out. I hope they pray for me and my best everytime I fight. That they cheer and enjoy the fight. Watch February 19 or February 20 wherever your at. It’s going to be very exciting, that’s something you guys can’t miss.

Thanks for your time Nonito, keep up the good work.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Midweek Thoughts – On Saturday night at Sands Tavern Maroochydore Australia several bouts took place.

(10 x 3)

Australian lightweight champion and first time promoter Brett W Smith put on a great promotion with his debut event at the Sands Tavern Maroochydore. Two professional, six amateur and one exhibition bout provided plenty of action for the night.

Brett W Smith (62.3) probably realised early in the first round of his eight round KO loss to Filipino Jack Asis, that promoting an event and being the main fight isn’t easy.

Brett was down twice in the first round from flurries of hard punches, he managed to find his feet after the shaky start and box his way back into the fight in rounds two and the start of round three before a cut in the third added to his problems. Rounds four and five were much the same as the previous with Brett seemingly in control of the fight when he chose to box only to lose control quickly when he tried to punch it out with his tough opponent. A warning in the sixth on top of being hurt a couple of times spelt more trouble and after another knock down at the end of round seven Brett showed a true champions heart to come out in the eight.

The packed crowd couldn’t lift their local hero and after more brutal exchanges and another knockdown the fight was stopped 1.05 of the eight round, referee was Alan Moore and judges Adrian Cairns, Adam Height and Steve Marshall all had Jack Asis ahead 66-65, 67-64 and 68-63 respectively at the time of stoppage.

Due to a change of opponents twice in the lead up to this fight Brett’s Australian Lightweight title was not on the line, and disappointed as he was after Brett assured me that injuries aside he is willing to defend his title against anyone, jokingly adding so long as it is on someone else’s promotion.

(4 x 3)

Brett John Smith( 65.7) showed his experience with his second round KO over Ryan Mc Donald who was having his first pro fight.

Smith controlled the fight throughout the first round with snappy combinations and some hard shots and continued with more of the same at the start of the second before the end came at .50 in the same round.

Referee was Steve Marshall and judges Adrian Cairns, Adam Height and Alan Moore all had Smith winning the first round.

Global Amateur Results

Australian Heavyweight Title

Tyson Andrews (94.6) KO 2 Glen Ayres

Queensland Middleweight Title

Shane Parry (75) win unanimous points over Nick Murry (69.54)

S/E Queensland Middleweight Title

Ben Greenslade (69.8) win unanimous points over Stuart Shaw (72.1)

Josh Coutts (91.8) win points over Dan Dwyer (87.5)

Dean Flanigan (70.8) win points over Joey Evans (71.68)

Ali Jerkil win points over Josh Adams

Fight report courtesy of Brad Arnold, who was ringside.

Legendary promoter Bob Arum talks all things Top Rank which includes Donaire – Montiel; Cotto – Mayorga and Pacquiao – Mosley

LAS VEGAS, NEV (December 17, 2010) – Las Vegas hosts its first world title fight of 2011 when World Bantamweight Champion FERNANDO “Cochulito” MONTIEL defends his title against two-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE, in the latest chapter of the storied México-Philippines rivalry, Saturday, February 19, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Zanfer Promotions, the Montiel-Donaire world title tilt will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.) The broadcast will open with undefeated NABO/NABA/WBC Continental Americas welterweight champion MIKE JONES defending his titles against Top-10 contender JESUS SOTO-KARASS in a rematch of their exciting battle which took place on November 13 under the Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito pay-per-view extravaganza.

Looking for a great last-minute Christmas gift? Yule love this! Tickets to Montiel vs. Donaire, priced at $250, $125, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges, go on-sale Next Thursday! December 23, at Noon PT. They can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Mandalay Bay at (877) 632-7400 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KOs), of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, México, is only the fourth Méxican fighter to win world titles in three different weight divisions, joining Hall of Famer-elect Julio César Chávez and future Hall of Fame inductees Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. Undefeated since 2006, eight of Montiel’s last ten victories (eight were world title fights) have been by stoppage.

Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in the Bay Area of San Leandro, Calif., is a consensus top-10 pound for pound fighter. He enters this fight riding a nine-year, 24-bout winning streak, which includes an IBF/IBO flyweight title knockout victory of defending champion Vic Darchinyan, and a fourth-round blasting of former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko in his last fight on December 4.Nine of Donaire’s last 10 victories have come by way of knockout.

Co-promoted by Peltz Boxing, Jones and Soto-Karass return for an immediate rematch of their November 13 brawl. After Jones decked Soto-Karass in the second round, Soto-Karass came back to almost pull out the victory in a fight most ringside fans and media thought could have gone either way. In fact, Jones’ second-round knockdown of Soto-Karass provided Jones the one-point margin for a razor-thin majority decision victory instead of a Draw. The judges’ scores were 95-94, 97-93 and 94-94.

Jones (23-0, 18 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA., has been attracting rabid fans to his fights in the friendly confines of Atlantic City and Philadelphia. He took on his biggest challenge on the biggest stage he has ever fought on when he tangled with Soto-Karass, successfully defending his titles and adding the vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title. Considered one of the hottest prospects in boxing, six of his last nine victories have come by knockout. Victories over Brazilian strongman Juliano Ramos, Henry Bruseles, ending his five-year winning streak, Hector Muñoz and Irving Garcia, have catapulted Jones to the top of the WBA welterweight ratings. He’s also rated No. 2 by the WBO, No. 3 by the IBF and No. 4 by the WBC.

Soto-Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs), of Los Mochis, México, boasts an impressive 13-2-2 (one No Contest) record, over his past 18 fights, dating back to 2005. The only other blemish was a sixth-round technical loss to Alfonso Gomez last year. Highlights of that period include knockout victories of former world champion Vince Phillips and undefeated contender Michael Rosales in WBC Continental Americas welterweight title fights in 2006 and contender David Estrada for the vacant NABF welterweight championship in 2008. He is currently world-rated No. 8 by the WBC.

Doors will open at 4:00 p.m. PT with the first bell at 4:30 p.m. PT. The HBO-televised fights will begin at 6:45 p.m. PT.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

San Juan, P.R.- The main event of the evening featured unbeaten Puerto Rican star Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López against Filipino promise Bernabe “The Real Deal” Concepción for Lopez’s WBO featherweight title. Both fighters wore pink and white showing their support for breast cancer research.

The fight got off to a fast start when JuanMa hurt Concepción with the first left hook he landed and dropped him later in the round only to be dropped himself close to the end of the round by a counter left hook. Both fighters looked ready to keep on fighting but the bell ended the action.

Lopez again dropped Concepción early in the second with a perfect straight left that appeared to really hurt Barnabé and again halfway through the round to finish the fight. Concepción appeared hurt but willing to continue when referee Luis Pabón waved it off at 2:37 of the second round.

Both fighters showcased their power but JuanMa was a little stronger and much more precise. As was the case with Sonsona, Concepción received a standing ovation even after loosing by stoppage as he had the crowd on the edge of their seats for as long as the bout lasted. JuanMa improves to 29-0 with 27 KO’s and sets himself up for the match against Rafael Márquez while Concepción drops to 30-3-1 with 17KO’s.

After the fight, López stated that he “wasn’t hurt” by the punch; only he opened his eyes to find himself in the canvas. With Bob Arum, Orlando Piñero (Lopez’s manager) and Fernando Beltrán (Rafael Marquez’s manager) in attendance for the press conference after the fight, talks of a future match-up between Lopez and Marquez were the main topic of discussion. Beltrán confirmed that on his fighter’s side the contract was already signed and only Lopez’s signature was missing.

López spoke about that fight extensively stating that it is the fight he has been wanting for two years now but has had to wait for the four fights between Márquez and Israel Vázquez to end before he got his chance. He added that before signing, some things must be ironed out but is confident the fight can be officially announced soon.

The televised portion of the show started with Nonito “Flash” Donaire of General Santos City in the Philippines defending his WBA Interim super flyweight title against Hernán “Tyson” Márquez of Sonora, México. Márquez started off with a lead right hookk from his southpaw stance and land two more punches to barely take an uneventful round. Donaire countered well and landed several straight lefts to take another slow round in the second and started to show off his defense making Márquez miss frequently. Márquez took the third round by being more aggressive and even pinning the “Flash” against the ropes who seemed tentative to let his hands go.

Nonito opened up in the fourth and smartly used his jab to make for an entertaining yet close round. Márqeuz appeared to be dealing well with Donaire’s upper body movement in the fifth until several hard shots followed by a short left hook dropped him halfway through the round; he hit the canvas again close to the end of the round but referee Roberto Ramírez didn’t rule it a knockdown. Donaire owned the sixth tagging his opponent from both stances throughout the entire stanza and took the seventh on precision and number of punches landed.

Márquez appeared to get a second air in the eight until a perfectly timed counter left uppercut from the champion dropped him. The challenger beat the count but on advice from his corner, the referee stopped it at 2:59. Nonito improves his record to 24-1 with 16KO’s and leaves the division to campaign at bantamweight while Márque drops to 27-2 with 20KO’s.

After the fight, donaire took a moment to speak with 15rounds.com and shared his thoughts on the fight. About his slow start, Donaire said he was looking to counter but since his opponent didn’t throw any jabs and was so short it made it hard for him. The Flash said it was also his first time fighting a southpaw and he wanted to get loose before he poured it on.

About his opponent’s power, Nonito said that although he had heavy hands, he was never hurt by Márquez and knew from the start he could finish his man before the limit. Still, he added that he had an injury on his left side and his legs were killing him, two factors that made him decide to finish the fight. He thanked the fans in attendance and expressed his desire to travel the island and get to know it better.

Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (18-2, 11KO’s) was up next against Eden Sonsona (21-5, 7KO’s) of Paranaque City, Philipines. The fight was for the NABO Super Bantamweight Title and set for 10 rounds. Both fighters landed in the first round but Oquendo, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico may have had the edge with some powerful rights to the head and good body work on his southpaw opponent. The second was a close round with both fighters landing their respective straights as their clearer punches. Sonsona had a very good third round landing with both hands and backing up his opponent for the second half of the round.

Oquendo managed to make the fourth round close by being more aggressive but Sonsona gave as good as he got. An unintentional head butt at the beginning of the fifth opened a cut over Oquendo’s right eye and jump started the most entertaining round in which both fighters traded to the delight of the crowd. By now both fighters were visibly exhausted and hurt but went at it in the sixth again when Oquendo momentarily switched to southpaw to great effect and took the round. Referee José H. Rivera ruled it was a low blow that dropped Sonsona early but after that both fighters traded big shots in a round where the Puerto Rican seemed to edge his opponent in accuracy alone.

After another head butt to start of the eight, the referee took a point from Sonsona even though it didn’t seem intentional. Oquendo was then warned for hitting low twice and when the ref didn’t take a point from Oquendo, the boos from the crowd started filling the air. Finally, after what didn’t seem to be an intentional low blow, Oquendo was penalized a point and immediately afterwards dropped Sonsona with a straight right hand to the head. Another right hand dropped Sonsona in the ninth but this time the Filipino warrior didn’t have enough to beat the count. Official time of stoppage was 1:05 of the ninth round and both fighters were rewarded with standing ovations from the pumped up crowd.

Sonsona sees his record drop to 21-6 with 7 KO’s and has a long way to climb back after this defeat while Oquendo, now 19-2 with 12KO’s may have set himself up for a title challenge possibly against fellow countryman Wilfredo Vázquez Jr.

Cruiserweights Carlos Negrón of Villalba, Puerto Rico and Gustavo Enríquez of Ciudad Juarez, México fought next at a bout set for eight rounds. Former Olympian Negrón (9-0, 7KO’s) started using his jab and working the body from the first bell and dropped his opponent midway through the round with a right hand but couldn’t finish him right then and there. Enríquez (15-9, 12KO’s) started the second round aggressively but was quickly dissuaded and dropped from another right hand. The third fourth rounds were slower ones dominated by Negrón fighting from a distance and with the use of his jab while the Mexican chased. Scores were 40-35 on all three of the judge’s score cards.

Up next were lightweights Jose González, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico (11-0, 7KO’s) and Mathew Robinson of Bridgeport, Barbados (3-2, 1KO) in a bout set for four rounds. Both fighters appeared to start slowly but halfway through the round González caught Robinson with a counter right hand that appeared to hurt him. A few seconds later, a straight to the body put the man from Barbados down for the count. Official time was 1:49 of the first.

Action for Top Rank’s and PR Best Boxing’s “The Challenge” got underway when heavyweight Victor Bisbal, Salinas, Puerto Rico (17-1, 12KO’s) quickly disposed of overmatched David Whitton, Quebec, Canada (10-13-1, 6KO’s). The bigger more aggressive Bisbal ended the fight with a left to the body that dropped Whitton who couldn’t beat the count. Time of stoppage was 2:33 into the first.

Carolina, P.R.- Fighters for this Saturday’s “The Challenge” weighed in today at the Verdanza hotel in Isla Verde, Carolina. The event is a co-promotion between Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions and the brothers Rivera PR Best Boxing Promotions to be televised by SHOWTIME®. Mr. Arum himself was there for the event as was Lee Samuels. Fighters from Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Mexico, Barbados, Canada and the United States make up the fifty eight round, seven bout card with fights from super flyweight division all the way up to the heavyweights.

After all fighters were weighed, Puerto Rican Juan Manuel López stayed a while to talk to the press about his upcoming fight, his future plans and his support for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

About Concepción, López said he knows he is a young, strong fighter with a rather unorthodox style but was confident of having all the necessary tools to come away with the victory. He added that Concepción looks just like he did for his fight against Mario Santiago and other than the awkwardness of the style, doesn’t expect any surprises.

When asked about the similarities between this fight and his life and death struggle against Tanzanian Rogers Mtagwa, López answered that that had been at 122lbs. where he was too weak from the struggle to make weight unlike this time where he now is well accustomed to 126lbs. He added that if there are people taking the Mtagwa fight as an example that he isn’t as good as some of the other champions in the division, they are making a big mistake. This since in that fight he proved he can be hurt but still keep on fighting and bring home the victories. López admitted that Concepción might be a difficult fighter because of his style and the volume of punches he throws, but he believes he has faster hands that also carry more power

About possible future rival Rafael Márquez, López stated that he had wanted to fight him, and Israel Vázquez, since 2008 but not until now had they shown interest. JuanMa added that even though Marquez is a very dangerous opponent, he believes his style makes for a more comfortable fight than Concepción as it is a more orthodox style of boxing.

López will be wearing pink and white shoes, robe and gloves which will later be auctioned off to help the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause he has taken under his wing for this fight.

Blue Corner Red Corner

WBO Featherweight Title-12rds.
Bernabé Concepción-125lbs. Vs. Juan Manuel López-125.3lbs.
Rizal Province, Philippines (28-3-1, 15KO’s) Caguas, Puerto Rico (28-0, 25KO’s)

WBA Interim Super Flyweight Title-12rds.
Hernán Marquez-115lbs. Vs. Nonito Donaire-114.5lbs.
Empalme, México (27-1, 20KO’s) General Santos City, Philippines (23-1, 15KO’s)

NABO Super Bantamweight Title-10rds.
Eden Sonsona-121.6lbs. Vs. Jonathan Oquendo-121.4lbs.
Paranque City, Philippines (21-5, 7KO’s) Vega Alta, Puerto Rico (18-2, 11KO’s)

Cruiserweight fight-8rds.
Gustavo Enríquez-192.9lbs Vs. Carlos Negrón-194.6lbs.
Ciudad Juarez, México (15-9, 12KO’s) Villalba, Puerto Rico (9-0, 7KO’s)

Bantamweight fight-6rds.
Jason Rorie-118.3lbs. Vs. McJoe Arroyo 119.6lbs.
Winston, North Carolina (6-7-2, 3KO’s) Fajardo, Puerto Rico (3-0, 1KO)

Lightweight Fight-4rds.
Mathew Robinson-133.9lbs. Vs. José González 136.6lbs.
Bridgeport, Barbados (3-1, 1KO) Toa Baja, Puerto Rico (10-0, 6KO’s)

Heavyweight Fight-6rds.
David Whittom-218.5lbs. Vs. Victor Bisbal-236lbs.
Quebec, Canada (10-12-1, 6KO’s) Salinas, Puerto Rico (16-1, 11KO’s)

Carolina, P.R.- Fighters, managers and trainers for this Saturday’s upcoming fight card spoke with 15rounds.com at today’s press conference. The show will feature Puerto Rican Juan Manuel López against Filipino Bernabé Concepción and Vic Darchinyan conqueror Nonito Donaire aginst Mexican Hernán Marquez as the co-features.

Nonito “Flash” Donaire (23-1-0, 15KO’s) stated that he felt good, strong and ready for his upcoming bout against Hernán “Tyson” Marquez (27-1-0, 20KO’s), Sonora, Mexico. Donaire said he’s seen Marquez and knows he has a good record and is a strong fighter who hits hard and is hungry but thinks he has an advantage in speed and height that will help him carry along his plan of fighting from the outside.

The new Filipino “Flash” said this would be his last fight at super flyweight as it is becoming increasingly hard for him to make weight. When asked about what fights at bantamweight he would like, the name of Mexican WBC and WBO titlist Fernando Montiel immediately came up though he said he would not have it in Mexico as he doesn’t want to be at a disadvantage. The names of Eric Morel and Jorge Arce also came up as possible candidates. He would go on to state that his plans are to move all the way up to super bantamweight and mentioned Puerto Rican WBO titlist Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. as a possible opponent stating that he would carry the weight very well and be very comfortable at 122lbs.

Donaire also commented on the rivalries between Filipino, Mexican and Puerto Rican fighters on a positive note stating that fans want to see it. He finished by thanking his fans for all the support saying that it is them who give him determination.

His trainer, Robert García, also acknowledged Marquez’s strength, power and hunger and even admitted that the fight could end early favoring anyone of the fighters. Although he expressed, as had Donaire before, that making weight had become increasingly hard, he was clear that it wouldn’t affect this fight and that Nonito was ready to go twelve rounds if necessary.

Nonito’s opponent, “Tyson” Marquez, told us he’s been watching Donaire for a long time and knows his opponents strengths but also his weakness. The Mexican fighter was quick to point out Donaire’s height, explosiveness, speed and power and catalogued him as a dangerous fighter. Still he said that even though he doesn’t get hit very often, when he has gotten caught, he’s been hurt.

Clear about his plan, Marquez said he would look to get inside and try to get to him first. This, since he admits that whoever gets clocked first will most likely go down. He worked out for this fight for seven weeks, two of them at sea level and the other five at high altitude on Mexico’s D.F.

His trainer, Rudy Pérez, knows Donaire is a very complete boxer that must be approached intelligently yet that won’t be a deterrent for there to be “candela” (fire) come Saturday.

Juan Manuel “JuanMa” López (28-0-0, 25KO’s) kept it short at the podium regarding boxing as he took advantage to speak on behalf of breast cancer research, a cause he has taken into consideration for this upcoming bout. Still he gave credit to his next opponent, Filipino Bernabé “The Real Deal” Concepción (28-3-1, 15KO’s) who is coming off a career-best performance against Puerto Rican Mario Santiago.

López said that pads are easier to hit than he is and they won’t hit back like he will. About Concepción’s training in Manny Pacquiao’s camp, he said that many fighters want to be like the Pac-Man, whom he called a good friend, but only Manny can do it. Jokingly, he said that if Manny, who was supposed to be at the fight, would get on the ring to fight on Concepción’s behalf, he would call up former three-division world champion, Felix “Tito” Trinidad to back him up.

About the looming fight with Rafael Marquez, JuanMa, in a sort of contradiction, said that he wasn’t going to talk about that fight but at the same time that it was a reality. Rafael Marquez is coming of a TKO victory over Israel Vázquez that settled their four fight “fiesta” at two wins a piece.

López’s manager, Orlando Piñero was a little less discreet and made it clear that no matter how good Concepción was, JuanMa is the best champion out there right now and he will prove it come Saturday.

Concepción was also brief at the podium barely stating that this fight was an honor for him and that everybody knows JuanMa is a tough fighter. When asked afterwards about how he felt being in Puerto Rico, he replied that he felt comfortable as did his team and his manager Michael Koncz as the weather is very similar to that in the Philippines.

He assured 15rounds.com that his training, held in Los Angeles, California, was pretty good as he had three sparring partners from the famous Wild Card Gym. He told us he was very comfortable at the weight and didn’t foresee any trouble in this area.

About the fight, he predicted it would probably not get to twelve rounds since they both have power. When comparing the fight to his previous one against Santiago, another Puerto Rican southpaw, Concepción said that the main difference would be in the power López has and Santiago doesn’t. He admitted both could move, but López has more power from what he has seen in a couple of his fights.

Regarding his DQ loss against Steven Luevano, who was later stopped by López, Abe said that when he watched a video of the fight he realized he had to throw more punches. In that fight, two of the judges had Luevano ahead at the end of the seventh round when Concepción landed a punch after the bell that knocked out Luevano. Regardless of the outcome, Concepción said he was “disgusted” with his performance and as a result changes were made in his corner.

His manager, Michael Koncz, jumped in the conversation and spoke about many adjustments being made in the physical aspect but also on the technical aspect of his fighter’s boxing. About the technical changes, Koncz said we would have to wait until Saturday to see them.
Bernabé knows he is an underdog in this fight, although a very live one, and wasn’t very enthusiastic about speaking of future plans but said he would definitely sit down and talk about a fight with Rafael Marquez should he win this weekend.

He ended saying “for all the fans, thank you so much and I hope you don’t miss it”.

Another Filipino fighter appearing on the card will be Eden Sonsona (21-5-0, 7KO’s) who will be facing interim WBO Latino Super bantamweight titlist Jonathan “Polbo” Oquendo (18-2-0, 11KO’s) of Vega Alta Puerto Rico. Sonsona didn’t want to make a prediction on how the fight was going to end, but said his camp had been good and he was happy and excited to be part of the event.

He urged his fans to watch the fight as it was going to be the most exciting fight.

The card will feature a host of upcoming Puerto Rican prospects including ex-Olympians Victor Bisbal, McJoe Arroyo and Carlos Negrón and will be televised around the world and broadcasted in the United States on Showtime. Tickets are available at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot and through Ticketpop. Prices range from $400.00 to $35.00

NEW YORK (July 1, 2010) – World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez (28-0, 25 KO’s) is set to defend his title against Filipino Bernabe Concepcion (30-2-1, 17 KOs) on July 10 in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Saturday’s 12-round world title fight is promoted by Top Rank Inc.

Lopez, The former WBO super-bantamweight champion, knows Concepcion will be one of the fastest fighters he’s ever faced. “I’ve seen Bernabe Concepcion fight several times and I’ve really studied his style. I know he’s working with Manny Pacquiao – they work with the same people. He’s a very strong fighter. He’s a young fighter – a hungry fighter. He really wants to be a world champion. He’s a difficult opponent.

“He’s a very intelligent fighter, so we need to be very intelligent, too. We need to fight him with a lot of pressure and a lot of speed – we need to be very fast that night.”

In what should prove to be an equally entertaining co-feature bout, Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) will battle Hernan Marquez (25-1, 18 KOs) for the interim WBA super flyweight championship. Donaire is currently ranked in the top five on several publications’ pound-for-pound lists and is the former IBF world flyweight and IBO world flyweight champion.

Lopez, who will be making the first defense of his second world title, made the move up to featherweight in his last fight, a January TKO win over Steven Luevano at Madison Square Garden in New York, and is currently on the longest layoff of his five-year pro career. Luevano was the third world champion Lopez has fought and vanquished in his last seven fights.

Luevano is the only common opponent between Lopez and Concepcion with Concepcion losing to him by disqualification in the seventh round in August, 2009.

On June 7, 2008, Lopez defeated Daniel Ponce de León by technical knockout to win his first title – the WBO super bantamweight championship. He defended the title five times until Jan. 23, 2010, vacating it after defeating Luevano for the organization’s featherweight championship.

Against Lopez, Concepcion will face the biggest puncher he’s ever encountered. The 22-year-old began his pro career at 110 pounds before settling into the super-bantamweight division in 2005. He later moved up to 126 pounds in 2009.

Page 2

In his last fight in February of this year, he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Mario Santiago in Las Vegas. Before that, against Luevano, Concepcion blatantly belted the defending WBO featherweight champ with an after-the-bell shot at the end of the seventh round earning him the disqualification.

In preparation for his 12-round co-feature bout against Marquez, Donaire will be looking to drop close to 10 pounds to get down to the 115-pound limit. The “Filipino Flash” has been sparring with heavier fighters like Glenn Gonzales and Luevano.

Donaire, 27, won the interim WBA super flyweight title in August 2009, and has made one successful defense. He is unbeaten in world title bouts. Marquez is just 21 and goes by the nickname “Tyson” because as an amateur his father said he hit as hard as Mike Tyson.

Gus Johnson will call the action with Al Bernstein serving as expert analyst and Jim Gray as the ringside reporter. The executive producer is David Dinkins Jr., with Ray Smaltz producing and Bob Dunphy directing.

For information on all SHOWTIME Sports telecasts, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries from its events, please visit the website at http://www.sports.sho.com.

About Showtime Networks Inc.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television Networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.

Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Gerson Guerrero, who was to challenge Nonito Donaire this Saturday night for an interim 115 lbs title, failed his eye exam and Donaire’s promoter Top Rank is scrambling to find a new opponent to headline this Saturday’s Pay Per View event in las Vegas.

Top Rank Matchmaker Brad Goodman has a short list of opponents to may fill the void.

On Goodman’s short list of potential replacements are two other fighters from Mexico: Manuel Vargas (26-4-1, 11 KOs), a former interim strawweight titlist who has also fought as a flyweight, and Hugo Ruiz (22-1, 21 KOs). Goodman attempted to line up former junior bantamweight titlist Jose “Carita” Lopez of Puerto Rico for the bout, but he was nowhere close to the 115-pound weight limit.

“I guess [Guerrero] has some sort of eye problem, but I am just ready for this fight,” Donaire told ESPN.com moments after being told of the issue. “I’ve always been prepared to fight anybody. I can adapt to any changes. I am ready for anything. Whoever they put in, I’m ready if Guerrero can’t make it. So be it.”

Donaire said, if necessary, he was willing to make Saturday’s fight in the 118-pound bantamweight division.

“As long as I get to fight, I am happy,” Donaire said.

Cameron Dunkin, Donaire’s manager, was consulting with Goodman about a new opponent.

“Nonito used to tell all the time that before I managed him, he never knew who he was fighting and he would take fights on short notice,” Dunkin said. “He would say, ‘I am ready for anybody. I’ll work it out. Just let me know who it is and I’ll be ready to go.’ We’ll get somebody and fight because Nonito is a fighter. A lot of guys would be blaming and complaining, but he’s not like that. He’s got a big smile on his face and says he’s just ready to go.”

Nonito’ The Filipino Flash’ Donaire,Philippines works out during a media day for his upcoming championship fight on “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3”, a Top Rank Pay Per View on Saturday,February 13 from the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas. Donaire takes on top-rated Gerson Guerrero of Mexico in the main event.

Photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank