Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia seems to be so certain of a Nonito Donaire Jr. victory when the “Filipino Flash” clashes with Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in New York for a unification bout on April 13.
“Donaire is too big, too strong, he should have no problem,” Garcia told Philboxing.com.
“There’s nothing to worry about even if Rigondeaux has power and hand speed. The first time Donaire lands a left hook, it should be over.”
Donaire is 2 to 3 inches taller than the two-time Olympic gold medalist and if he keeps his cool, keeps his patience and follows the game plan he should win,” according to Garcia.
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The postponed meeting between Top Rank boss Bob Arum and Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez has been moved to this week, from San Diego to Las Vegas.
Arum said the meeting was postponed because Marquez had obligations in Mexico.
Commenting on the Donaire-Rigondeaux fight, Arum said it’s going to be one hell of an encounter.
“I really believe that,” he said.
Incidentally, even if Top Rank had succeeded in booking a fight for Manny Pacquiao, there are many restrictions during the campaign period for candidates, thus the supposed April fight will no longer push through.
The next Pacquiao fight will most likely be scheduled in September.
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An article e-mailed to me by an online scribe prompted me to call PBA vice chair Mon Segismundo of Meralco for confirmation.
In the article, the scribe said the Meralco Bolts were currently in the process of rebuilding and cited Segismundo as his source. The writer likewise hinted that there may also be major changes in other personnel.
“Should I put malice in the article? Are major changes within the team really forthcoming?” I asked the amiable Meralco governor.
“Meralco is committed to developing a better and stronger Bolts, not only in the next conference but in the next few years to come,” the scribe had quoted Mon, who is also a high-ranking Meralco executive.
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Calling the article “naughty,” Mon said the Bolts are constantly in the process of rebuilding.
“It’s an ongoing process, there’s nothing clandestine or sinister about that. The Sol Mercado trade to Globalport is part of this process.”
And what about the projected change in key personnel?
At this point, he requested me to forward the e-mailed article to him.