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Donaire back in the gym; Trainer hints of ring return later this year


Nonito Donaire Jr. came out of his hiatus and returned to training early this week with trainer Roberto Garcia hinting of a ring return by August or September this year. Donaire has been inactive for four months since his stunning second-round demolition of former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in February to unify the 118-lb belts. Donaire (26 wins and one loss with 18 knockouts) is the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title holder prior to his match against Montiel on February 19 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia, Donaire's full-time trainer, said he hadn't spoken to the unified champ in several weeks but has been in contact with his manager, Cameron Dunkin, "everyday" to discuss the situation of the 'Filipino Flash'. "Right now, there's no news to report, but we're hoping for him to be back in the ring by August or September," said Garcia, who also trains lightweight titlist Brandon Rios and Antonio Margarito. Donaire, who is a native of Talibon, Bohol but now based in Las Vegas as reported by Dennis Guillermo, was first spotted at the H.I.T. Factory boxing gym in Las Vegas, working the mitts with former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior welterweight champion-turned-trainer Morris East. East, who is Donaire's assistant trainer working alongside Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, is currently helping junior welterweight titlist Zab Judah prepare for his July 23 unification bout with former Manny Pacquiao sparmate Amir Khan. "I did pads with him (Donaire) today (Tuesday U.S. time) just to break a sweat," said East, a native of Olongapo City, Philippines who became the youngest Filipino boxing title holder at 19. "Zab and Nonito are buddies and I used to work in his (Nonito's) corner, so it's for old time's sake. [Nonito's] looking good, although he just came back from vacation." Contract dispute Donaire is locked in a contract dispute with his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank since a failed attempt to end his ties with the famed boxing promotional outfit and sign with rival Golden Boy Promotions. The rift cost him a unification bout with WBA bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno in Atlantic City last April. Arum has appointed Top Rank president Todd Duboef, who is in talks with Donaire's camp, to resolve the situation. Donaire, who currently owns the WBO and WBC 118 pound titles, also sat out most of 2008 due to issues with his former promoter Gary Shaw. Being spotted training in the gym could be a sign that his from the ring is nearing its end. Despite litigation and ugly exchanges between the Donaires and Top Rank, Garcia is confident that both camps will find a mutually beneficial solution. "Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe now the promoters will put more interest into his career, dedicate more time for him and everything will change. I think he's in a position right now where he can call the shots. He's had great wins and he's in a good position," said Garcia, who trains Donaire and the rest of his fighters out of Oxnard, California. "I really believe that things are going to workout and we'll get back to work. He had a great win against Montiel and I feel it was right at that moment he should have taken advantage of it. Hopefully he'll become a superstar in the next two to three fights," added Garcia. Calls and emails to Dunkin, Donaire's manager, seeking comment were not returned. Donaire's wife, Rachel, also has yet to answer in an email. East compares Donaire to Pinoy fighters of his generation East had a short professional boxing career: six years, 25 fights and retirement before his 22nd birthday in 1995. Still, he has seen his share of top fighters that came out from the Philippines. East said that Donaire, who was born in Bohol but raised in San Leandro, California, is a different breed from the native-born fighters he came up alongside. "I think he's more talented and versatile," said East. "Before we only fought one way. In the Philippines, they always stressed heart and hard work, but Nonito is a smart, talented and strong overall boxer. In the Philippines before we didn't really have good trainers to train us with different strategies." – JVP, GMA News Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMA News and the Filipino Reporter newspaper in New York City. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia.

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