Donaire open to working with top trainer Roach

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Nonito Donaire, Jr. is open to the possibility of working with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach in his bid to dominate multiple divisions like Manny Pacquiao. The newly-crowned WBA interim superflyweight champion, though, is concerned about not being able to get the noted guru’s full attention if they indeed hook up. “It’s (training with Roach) a possibility," Donaire said Tuesday during a press conference prepared by GMA Network. “Magaling talaga si Roach pero ang problema lang doon, marami si Roach na tine-train na boxers, like Bernabe Concepcion, Amir Khan, and especially Manny. So kapag lumaban ako, baka hindi ako mabigyan ng panahon," added the "Filipino Flash" who plans to bring his act to 118 and eventually all the way to the 135-lb division. The 26-year-old Donaire is currently being handled by Jonathan and Dodie Boy Peñalosa, who took over from his father Nonito Sr. as trainers early this year. Donaire is 2-0 under the Peñalosas, knocking out Raul Martinez to retain the IBF flyweight crown last April and outpointing an overweight Rafael Concepcion to win the WBA interim super flyweight belt over the weekend. “They (Peñalosas) have done a great job, maganda ang training namin kaya kundisyon ako for 12 rounds," he said, noting that the brother-trainer tandem has also taught him the value of the jab and utilizing his right hand more. “I have a great relationship with them and definitely next fight (they’ll be there to train me). The Peñalosas are now part of my family," he added. But Donaire’s showing against Concepcion was met with mixed reactions from experts, some admiring his boxing skills against a fighter who’s at least five pounds heavier, some noting his defensive flaws, which they said could be fixed by Roach. Top Rank boss Bob Arum was even quoted by Yahoo Sports as saying Donaire would blossom under Roach. “There’s only one Freddie Roach. He’s a guy who has a track record. He makes his fighters better, almost up and down the board. If Nonito got with a guy like Freddie, there’s no telling what he could do." Donaire will stick it out with Peñalosas, although he admitted the tested ring IQ of Roach would be a welcome addition to his team, if ever. “Aside from maganda yung training namin, we need an intelligent guy to game plan the whole fight. There’s a possibility of it (Roach joining Team Donaire) pero ayoko lang na di ako mabigyan ng atensyon at pagdating ng laban, hindi ako sigurado, gusto ko, 100 percent (attention) para maganda yung laban," he said. Donaire, together with his wife Rachel, arrived from Las Vegas with little or no fanfare early Tuesday. The Donaires were warmly welcomed by GMA officials headed by GMA Network chairman, president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon at the station, where "The Filipino Flash" had a rehearsal and taping for Celebrity Duets. - GMANews.TV