Nonito Donaire beat James Kirkland in the Ameuturs.(And other stuff interview) By Stephen Edwards



BT: Can you tell us a little bit about your training regimen. I notice that your balance is impeccable. I recently found some footage of you doing plyometrics, does that help out? "I run about 4 to 5 miles a day. After my run I do wind sprints. I alternate days on the wind sprints. I usually do them mondays, wednesdays and fridays. When I was younger I had chicken legs. My legs were weak. I had a lot problems with my legs earlier in my career. But my wife introduced me to plyometrics and we came up with a routine that really helps me out. It helps so much with my balance and my leg strength. It helps me sit down on my punche and produce knockouts. I wasn't a big puncher earlier on and in the amateurs but now I produce a lot of power behind my shots."





BT: Speaking of knockouts. I saw your last fight vs Manuel Vargas. I've told my readers on ********** about it. I have never seen a fighter change stances from orthodox to southpaw 4 times fluidly ,then throw a one punch ko. How did you do that?



ND: I actually used to do stuff like that all the time. But I never really tried it in a real fight. It's just something I can do.....



BT: I understand Nonito. It's a God given gift. (Bread laughs) It's easier for you to do than it is to explain.



ND: Yes it is.



BT: Floyd Mayweather hit Ricky Hatton with a great check left hook. A check hook is when a fighter takes a half step back and shoots a counter hook. You kod Darchynian with that punch and I think you have the best one in boxing. Where did you learn that punch from?



ND: Growing up my dad wanted me to fight like Ray Leonard. I used to watch Leonard's , Ray Robinson's and Alexis Arguello's hook. I also used to watch Joe Louis.



BT: Man you talk about 4 of the best puncher's to ever live.



ND: Yes. and I took stuff from them and I just try to incorporate my speed and I deliver the hook. I actually change the angle on my hook. It's not an uppercut but it's like a half hook half uppercut. I throw it so it lands right on the chin.



BT: Man you got that punch down pat. That's one of the most deadliest punches in boxing and not many people know about it. Speaking of that. I was recently asked my top 20 p4p fighters in the world. I placed you at #3 behind Mayweather and Pacquiao. I received some flack for that, but I stand by it. I know the goods when I see them and you're the goods.



ND: Thanks for believing in me. That means a lot to me. Not many people believe in me, I really appreciate that.



BT: The Ring actually has you at like #4 or #5 so they know what's up too. A lot of people ask me well who has he beaten but Darchynian. I tell them to name me elite fighters that Ricardo Lopez, Mark Johnson and Michael Carbajal have beaten. Nonito I know how to shut people up quickly. My point is those are 3 HOF fighters who all fought under bantamweight. When fighters are that small they may fight worthy opponents but most of the opponents are from obscure places and we as a public just don't know them. When a man such as yourself is fighting at that weight, you have to be fair and give the fighter the "EYEBALL TEST". You have to watch them fight. Anyboy who watches you, should know how special you are.



ND: Thanks man, I reaslly want the big fights but they are hard to come by.



BT: Speaking of big fights I am going to say some names and you tell me what you think. Vic Darchynian.



ND: I thought we were going to fight this year but they seem to be pulling my leg.



BT: You stopped Darchynian conclusively. It wold seem to me that he would want revenge and that fight wouldn't be hard to make.



ND: You would think so, but I don't think he wants to fight me again.



BT: I agree. Abner Mares.



ND: He's a good young fighter aand I would love to fight him.



BT: Yohnny Perez.



ND: Same thing, I would love to fight him also.



BT: Ok I have a big one for you. Fernando Montiel. You would have the Filipino/Mexican rivalry. This fight would have some serious implications especially after Montiel's last victory over Hasegawa.



ND: Yes that's the fight I want and after this next fight that's who I will be looking for. This will be my last fight at 115lbs. I will be moving up to 118 after this fight and after that 122lbs.



BT: Can you carry that weight and still be effective?



ND: I will actually be stronger. I'm a big guy for my weight. My trainer Robert Garcia (ex 130lb titleist) told me our 1st day together that I need to move up.



BT: Garcia is an excellent trainer, he was an excellent fighter also.



ND: Yes he is. We work well together



BT: I am a big student of the game and I came across something that many people don't know, you actually beat James Kirkland as an amateur, can you tell me about that?



ND: Yeah he was a beast, very strong. But I used my jab and quickness to beat him. He kept dropping his head and I was hitting him with an uppercut. But man that dude was knocking kids out at like 14 years old. Even though I beat him, he still won the outstanding fighter of the tournament because he knocked everybody out except me.



BT: Wow, that's interesting. Well I really appreciate the interview and I wish you the best of luck in your next fight.



ND: No problem, thanks for the support. Last edited by Evil Abed; 07-05-2010 at 12:46 PM .