Donaire gets ready for title tiff

IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. said yesterday he’s not taking Panama’s Rafael Concepcion lightly in their 12-round battle for the interim WBA superflyweight crown and that’s why he can’t wait to start training at Robert Garcia’s gym in Oxnard this week.

Donaire, 26, isn’t giving up his IBF crown – at least, not yet and not until his manager Cameron Dunkin and promoter Bob Arum advise it. But he’s shooting anyway for the WBA 115-pound throne expected to be vacated by Vic Darchinyan who’s challenging IBF bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko of Ghana in Florida on July 11.

Donaire said four other fighters were considered as his next opponent but only Concepcion stepped up to the plate. The list included WBO superflyweight titlist Jose (Carita) Lopez of Puerto Rico and former WBO lightflyweight champion Hugo Cazares of Mexico.

“I would’ve preferred to fight at 118, which is a comfortable weight for me, but 115 is better than 112,” said Donaire. “But I’ll be ready at whatever weight Bob and Cameron want me to fight. It’s really up to them. This fight will probably lead to a shot at the WBO and the regular WBA superflyweight title so I can’t afford to lose.”

Last week, Donaire and Concepcion came face-to-face at a press conference to announce the bout, which is set at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Aug. 15.

“Concepcion’s smaller than me, by two or three inches, but he’s a little wider,” said Donaire in a phone interview from his home in San Mateo, California. “He didn’t say much. It was his manager Damon de Berry who was doing all the talking, telling me I made a mistake in picking Concepcion as an opponent, that they’re confident of winning.”

Donaire said he stayed away from engaging Concepcion or De Berry in a word war.

“I’m not good with fighting words,” said Donaire. “My fists do my talking. I know Concepcion’s a brawler who’s got a lot of heart. He has good power, too. And I’m sure he’ll be 100 percent prepared for the fight. He’ll do his best and that’s makes him dangerous. I’ll have to be at my best to beat him and I know I will. My advantages are speed, power and experience. And I can outthink him. (Jorge) Arce made him quit with body shots so he’s not invulnerable.”

Concepcion, 27, has won 10 of his last 11 fights, the only loss a ninth round retirement to Ace last September. His biggest win was in July last year when he halted A. J. Banal in Cebu. Concepcion’s record is 13-3-1, with eight KOs, compared to Donaire’s 21-1, with 14 KOs. The Panamanian has won his last two outings. A chink in his armor is an apparent inability to take a hard punch. Concepcion has been floored by unknowns Luis Quiel, Ricardo Molina and Jean Piero Perez twice. Two of his three setbacks came inside the distance.

Donaire said Jonathan and Dodie Boy Peñalosa will be in his corner for the Concepcion fight.

“Jonathan has been working with me in the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, about a 10-minute drive from our home in San Mateo, for over two weeks now,” he said. “We’re expecting Dodie Boy to arrive (from the Philippines) any day now. I’m grateful to the guys at Undisputed, especially my strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel who’s been working on my explosiveness. We’re like a family at Undisputed – which is also where Rachel (his wife) practices taekwondo. The only reason why I’m moving to Oxnard is because Robert is getting together a bunch of sparmates in the 115, 118 and 122 pound classes. I won’t get that kind of sparring at Undisputed. Brian (Viloria) and (Steve) Luevano are also training at Oxnard. Cameron manages Luevano and me so we’re stablemates. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot of things over there. A lot of high-quality fighters get ready for their fights with Robert.”

Donaire said Bazzel won’t join him at Oxnard but will send training videos and equipment to make sure he’s on track with his strength and conditioning program.

“Mike will visit occasionally to check on how I’m doing,” said Donaire. “He’s got me doing plyometrics – a lot of muscle work for explosiveness. I actually started going to Undisputed four weeks ago. I’ve been running and getting in shape. My weight is around 126 to 130 pounds. Making 115 won’t be a problem.”