Donaire won’t let his guard down vs Martinez

MANILA, Philippines – Though Nonito Donaire Jr. has already beaten Raul Martinez when he was still an amateur, the reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion still does not want to be complacent. Donaire, nicknamed the Filipino Flash, said he does not want to put his guard down since the Mexican-born Martinez is the United States’ top ranked super flyweight boxer and is still undefeated after 24 fights. The 27-year old Martinez is two inches shorter than Donaire at 5-foot-4 and won 14 fights by way of knockout. He has a 68-inch reach. Donaire, 26, also holds an impressive record of 20 wins with 13 by KO but has one loss, against American Rosendo Sanchez on March 10, 2001. He went on to win 19 straight matches after that fight. Donaire said the training he received from the Peñalosa brothers – Gerry, Jonathan and Dodie Boy – is enough to say that he is confident in winning against Martinez in their March 22 fight at the Araneta Coliseum. “I am confident that I can win since I’ve trained hard for this fight," said Donaire in Filipino during an interview with QTV’s Balitanghali. He added that he learned a lot from the training he received from the Peñalosa brothers. “We focused on my speed, power and defensive boxing. They trained me to become fast and smart," said Donaire, who trained in Baguio to help strengthen his lungs and improve his endurance. Donaire, who is one of the Filipino boxers said to follow on the footsteps of reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, said the prayers of his countrymen would help him a lot as he tries to defend his titles against Martinez. “Manny once told me that there are a lot of better boxers than him but his confidence and trust in God helps him win. And those words inspired me a lot," said Donaire. Also fighting on March 22 is Brian “The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria who will defend his IBF lightflyweight crown against Ulises Solis of Mexico in the double-title bout dubbed “The Flash and the Furious". – GMANews.TV