Donaire awaits Dunkin's call

MANILA, Philippines - How long interim WBA superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will stay in Manila depends on whether he fights WBC bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel of Mexico in November or WBO superbantamweight ruler Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. of Puerto Rico in September.

Donaire arrived here on a PAL flight from San Francisco early Thursday morning. If the Montiel bout pushes through, he’ll be in town for about six weeks. If not, he’ll leave earlier to prepare for Vazquez, Jr. or another suitable opponent.

Donaire’s father-in-law Gerry Marcial, who flew in with wife Becky last Wednesday, said a phone call from the fighter’s manager Cameron Dunkin will confirm who’s next in line within a few days.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum recently said he’s working on a Montiel fight in November, raising hopes that Donaire may see action in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s next bout against Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto or if a breakthrough happens, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Donaire’s contract with Arum stipulates at least three fights in a year with a minimum purse of $250,000 when a world title is at stake. So far, Arum has arranged two bouts for Donaire against Martin Vargas and Hernan Marquez both of whom were knocked out.

Montiel, 31, halted Panama’s Rafael Concepcion in the third round in Mexico last Saturday to raise his record to 43-2-2, with 33 KOs, but according to Marcial, the win was far from impressive.

“Concepcion looked dehydrated, like he had to drastically trim down to make weight,” said Marcial. “He had nothing against Montiel.  If Concepcion made weight against Nonito when they fought last year, he would’ve been knocked out in the second round.”

Donaire could’ve refused to face Concepcion after the Panamanian scaled 4 1/2 pounds over the superflyweight limit but didn’t want to disappoint his fans and went on to pound out a unanimous 12-round decision despite the bulk discrepancy.

There is talk that Montiel would rather meet IBO bantamweight champion Vic Darchinyan, another Donaire victim, than the Filipino Flash. If Montiel blinks, Donaire will move up to the 122-pound division to challenge Vazquez.

“Montiel isn’t the type to duck anyone,” said Marcial. “But who knows? Maybe he realizes Nonito is too good. I think if they fight, Nonito will knock out Montiel in five or six rounds. Montiel fights with his chin up and is a sucker for an uppercut. Nonito fires his uppercut from a short distance and doesn’t use a wide wind-up. It’s perfect for Montiel. Why Montiel would rather fight Darchinyan is a mystery because the big money is for a Donaire bout. If Montiel is scared of Nonito, then the next target is Vazquez.”

Marcial said Vazquez will be a more difficult opponent because of his size. “If Nonito fights Vazquez, he’ll move up two weight classes,” Marcial went on. “I think Nonito will win but it won’t be easy. I see a late knockout or a win by decision just because Vazquez is a naturally bigger guy.”

Donaire, 27, couldn’t care less whom he fights – as long as a world title is on the line.

Since former IBF superfeatherweight champion Robert Garcia joined his team for the Vargas fight last February, Donaire has been untouchable.

“Robert gives Nonito a positive mindset,” said Marcial. “From a technical point of view, Robert has taught Nonito a lot about where to locate himself in tracking an opponent, when to use movement and how to create angles for his punches. From a strategic point of view, Robert has advised Nonito when to stick and run, when to go for the kill during a fight. He’s a great influence.”

Aside from Garcia, Donaire counts on trainer Jonathan Peñalosa, strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel and chiropractor Cameron Fort for support in the gym.

One of Donaire’s secrets is burying his hands, one at a time, in a pail of sand, digging inside to make a fist, bringing up a handful of sand and repeating the process for 20 minutes a day.

“It’s an old martial arts technique,” said Marcial, a taekwondo black belter. “Sticking your hand inside a bucket of sand, moving it in and out for 20 minutes, will create abrasions and toughen the knuckles. It’s something Nonito does every day, sometimes while watching TV or reading at home.”

Marcial said the sky’s the limit in Donaire’s boxing future.

“After he knocked out Marquez, boxing promoters were impressed and guys like Joe Goosen and Lou DiBella phoned Cameron,” said Marcial. “If Nonito gets a title shot, I guarantee he’ll become a world champion again. Even without a real belt, Nonito is ranked No. 4 by The Ring Magazine in its pound-for-pound ratings. That shows you how he is regarded by experts. If a world champion refuses to fight Nonito, he should be stripped of the title. It’s not fair to keep a marquee fighter like Nonito out of the title picture.”