Donaire says he's ready for anyone

MANILA, Philippines - IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said the other day choosing opponents is not his business and as a fighter, he’ll take on anyone lined up by his manager Cameron Dunkin and promoter Bob Arum.

Asked about undisputed world superflyweight titlist Vic Darchinyan’s constant whining for a rematch, Donaire said, “I would love to make it happen but let him talk to Cameron and Bob.”

Donaire is the only fighter to hang a loss on Darchinyan, scoring a fifth round knockout over the brash Australian to wrest the IBF crown in 2007. Darchinyan has been calling out Donaire for a rematch even as he was booked to challenge IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko in Florida last night.

“I’m a fighter,” said Donaire. “I do what I’m supposed to do. I fight whomever my manager and promoter choose. Don’t talk to me – talk to them. As for me, I’m ready to go.”

Donaire is set to face Panama’s Rafael Concepcion for the WBA interim superflyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Aug. 15. Donaire said he’s keeping his IBF belt for the moment – or until Dunkin and Arum advise to move on.

If he beats Concepcion, Donaire said his next opponent could be WBO superflyweight champion Jose (Carita) Lopez of Puerto Rico or Darchinyan or a leading contender to dispute the regular WBA crown.

Lopez is in negotiations to stake his title against teenage Filipino sensation “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona in Canada or Miami in early September. If the talks bog down, Donaire might be Lopez’ challenger instead – assuming he disposes of Concepcion.

But Darchinyan will remain an option in the horizon. He’s gained a frightening reputation as a merciless bully in the ring. The memory of his brutal loss to Donaire, however, casts a huge doubt on his credibility as an immovable force.

What has touched off Darchinyan’s nerve even more are Donaire’s persistent claims that he wasn’t at 100 percent for their bout.

“I didn’t spar much,” said Donaire, quoted by The Ring Magazine (Aug. 2009).”The longest sparring session was seven rounds. I did a lot of running and a lot of work with the mitts. We did most of the training two weeks before the fight and that’s almost unheard of. Normally, that’s when you slow down and give your body rest.”

Donaire said he outwitted Darchinyan, broke down his awkward fighting style and easily found the opening for the left hook that ended it.

“Vic is very annoying,” said Donaire. “He’s the kind of guy you love if he’s on your team and hate when he’s on the other team and he’s on the other team with me. I’ll be honest. I wanted him to get up after I knocked him down so I could punch him some more. I like fighting those types of guys because they bring out the best in me. They’re kind of what drives me. Vic didn’t show me any respect. Maybe, that’s why I ran around the ring like a lunatic after realizing I’d become a world champion.”

Donaire said in a rematch, the outcome will be the same.

“I definitely want him again,” continued Donaire in The Ring. “I want to kill this guy. I want to beat and punish him because he’s a bully. I want to shut him up once and for all.”

Donaire said he has set aside plans of joining Brian Viloria and Steven Luevano at Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard and will continue to train at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos with the Peñalosa brothers Jonathan and Dodie Boy. The Undisputed Gym is where his strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel is based.

Donaire said he will spar with Filipino contender Glenn (Rapid Fire) Gonzales of North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Piñol’s Braveheart stable and New Mexico’s David Martinez to prepare for Concepcion. Gonzales flew in from Manila last week while Martinez will report for work today.

“The Peñalosas have basically extended what my father (Nonito Sr.) already taught me,” he went on. “The big difference is that with these guys, I’m my own man. I’m the one who is getting up in the morning and these guys treat me like a man. They have respect for me. Gerry taught me how to be defensive and tactical. Dodie Boy teaches power and Jonathan teaches speed. They all have a specialty that helps me. These guys are great not only inside the ring but outside the ring. I love working with them.”

Gerry will not be in Donaire’s corner for Concepcion as he is awaiting confirmation on his next fight, possibly against Eric Morel at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 29.