Donaire the main event for "Pinoy Power 2"
by Bev Llorente, North America News Bureau | 07/03/2009 8:00 AM
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LAS VEGAS—Three months after IBF and IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire defeated Mexican boxer Raul Martinez with a technical knockout, the “Filipino Flash” is going back to the ring.
The 26-year-old Donaire is the main event for “Pinoy Power 2,” which features 3 Filipino fighters for the August 15th event at the Hard Rock Casino. Donaire said he and his fellow Filipino fighters are ready to show the world that Manny Pacquiao is only the first of many dominant Philippine boxers to emerge.
“For us we have to rise to that occasion, and there’s always pressure when it comes to that,” Donaire said at the “Pinoy Power 2” press conference, “but we (Filipino boxers) always use that to have a positive mentality and a positive drive to do our best.” Donaire added that he is determined to finish his bout with Panama’s Rafael Concepcion early.
Bob Arum of Top Rank, Incorporated, the promotions company behind “Pinoy Power 2,” said Pacquiao’s mainstream respect gives Pinoy fighters an extra boost to win their bouts.
“Philippine boxers are very well skilled, they are very entertaining, people in the United States and around the world love to see them fight because I mean it as a great compliment,” said Arum.
Arum also confirmed that the Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto battle will take place on November 14th at the MGM Grand.
21-year-old Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen will also slug it out as undercards for Donaire.
“Ang pinag aaralan ko po kung paano ko siya harangin, paano ko siya malapitan kase po ano siya hit and run po,” said Concepcion.
“Pinoy Power 2” will broadcast live on pay-per-view on August 15th, and tickets will be available this Saturday.
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