Donaire fight on
by rick olivares
by rick olivares
The Nonito Donaire Jr.-Raul Martinez fight at the Araneta Coliseum, dubbed “The Flash and the Furious” will push through after all. Except that it will be held on April 19, 2009 instead of the previously announced March 22.
Donaire, the 26-year old current IBO-IBF flyweight champion with a 24-1-0 slate will be making his third title defense since taking the titles from Australian Vic Darchinyan. The Fil-American from San Leandro, California has won his last four fights via TKO.
Martinez, nicknamed “the Cobra” is undefeated in 24 matches but has not been that impressive in his last four matches. He knocked out Victor Proa in the first round but prior to that match, Martinez survived three unanimous decisions.
But Martinez is currently ranked the no. 2 super flyweight by the IBF and has the opportunity to try and strip the champion of his world titles.
Solar Sports, the local television carrier and promoter for the fight alongside Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions reset the fight because of corporate sponsorship concerns.
“Solar postponed the fight mainly to have more time to promote and secure the sponsors who requested for it to be in the 2nd quarter,” explained the cable giant’s Vice President for Sports Marketing Jude Turcuato. “The sponsors are a major consideration so we had to accede to the request otherwise Top Rank and Solar would lose a boatload of money.”
“The good thing here is Nonito is guaranteed his $250,000 purse as are the other fighters in the undercards.”
The Donaire camp was initially upset at the postponement but has since repaired to their training camp in Baguio City.
Donaire and Martinez previously squared up as amateurs when they were trying to make it to the 2000 US Olympic Team with the Filipino Flash pulling the rug from the Mexican-American.
Interestingly enough, another fighter who was also slugging it out for a slot on that American Olympic team is former WBC Junior Flyweight Champion, Brian Viloria.
Viloria, the reigning WBC light flyweight champion will challenge IBF Light Flyweight Champion Ulises Solis of Mexico.
“The Hawaiian Punch,” as Viloria is called, won his last fight over Fred Heberto Valdez via a third round knockout. Prior to that, he also got the better out of Jose Garcia Banal and Cesar Lopez in two eight round unanimous decisions.
Meanwhile Solis has prevailed over three Filipino boxers in succession. An 8th round knock out over Rodel Mayol, along with a 9th round TKO victory over Bert Batawang, and a unanimous decision over the Filipino Flash’s older brother Glenn Donaire has made Solis the man to beat. Now, it is time for Viloria to once again represent the Philippines to battle for another world title.
Donaire, the 26-year old current IBO-IBF flyweight champion with a 24-1-0 slate will be making his third title defense since taking the titles from Australian Vic Darchinyan. The Fil-American from San Leandro, California has won his last four fights via TKO.
Martinez, nicknamed “the Cobra” is undefeated in 24 matches but has not been that impressive in his last four matches. He knocked out Victor Proa in the first round but prior to that match, Martinez survived three unanimous decisions.
But Martinez is currently ranked the no. 2 super flyweight by the IBF and has the opportunity to try and strip the champion of his world titles.
Solar Sports, the local television carrier and promoter for the fight alongside Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions reset the fight because of corporate sponsorship concerns.
“Solar postponed the fight mainly to have more time to promote and secure the sponsors who requested for it to be in the 2nd quarter,” explained the cable giant’s Vice President for Sports Marketing Jude Turcuato. “The sponsors are a major consideration so we had to accede to the request otherwise Top Rank and Solar would lose a boatload of money.”
“The good thing here is Nonito is guaranteed his $250,000 purse as are the other fighters in the undercards.”
The Donaire camp was initially upset at the postponement but has since repaired to their training camp in Baguio City.
Donaire and Martinez previously squared up as amateurs when they were trying to make it to the 2000 US Olympic Team with the Filipino Flash pulling the rug from the Mexican-American.
Interestingly enough, another fighter who was also slugging it out for a slot on that American Olympic team is former WBC Junior Flyweight Champion, Brian Viloria.
Viloria, the reigning WBC light flyweight champion will challenge IBF Light Flyweight Champion Ulises Solis of Mexico.
“The Hawaiian Punch,” as Viloria is called, won his last fight over Fred Heberto Valdez via a third round knockout. Prior to that, he also got the better out of Jose Garcia Banal and Cesar Lopez in two eight round unanimous decisions.
Meanwhile Solis has prevailed over three Filipino boxers in succession. An 8th round knock out over Rodel Mayol, along with a 9th round TKO victory over Bert Batawang, and a unanimous decision over the Filipino Flash’s older brother Glenn Donaire has made Solis the man to beat. Now, it is time for Viloria to once again represent the Philippines to battle for another world title.
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