‘Filipino Flash’ Donaire to go for KO vs rival

Nonito “The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. on Thursday said he would go for a knockout against Panama’s Rafael “El Torito" Concepcion when they mix it up for the interim WBA superflyweight title on Aug. 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“In every fight I go in always try to go for a KO because there’s really not a satisfying victory than a KO," Donaire said in an interview by Examiner.com’s Dennis Guillermo.

“I’m not gonna force the issue but if I can get the opportunity for it (KO against Concepcion) then I’m gonna take it and go for it," added the Pinoy fighter, who had stopped his last five foes, including the rugged ex-IBF flyweight king Vic Darchinyan in 2007.

Nonito Donaire Jr., left, shown in this 2008 flyweight bout against Moruti Mthalani, debuts at super-flyweight against Rafael Concepcion of Panama. AP

The 26-year-old Donaire (21-1, 14 KOs) is making his debut at superflyweight after making a killing at the flyweight class the last two years.

Upon climbing the 115-lbs wars, Donaire hopes to bring along the power and speed that has made him one of the elite fighters of the 112-lb division.

“I’m building up more muscle on my body (right now)," said the Bohol-born warrior, who currently weighs a little over 10-lbs above the superflyweight limit.

Donaire is in the final stages of his training camp against Concepcion (13-3-1) at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas under the brother-trainer tandem of Jonathan and Dodie Boy Peñalosa and strength trainer Michael Basel.

“It’s (training camp) been great. Everybody’s working together well and we’re working really hard. We’re pushing each other to the limit," he said.

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I’m not gonna force the issue but if I can get the opportunity for it (knockout against Concepcion) then I’m gonna take it and go for it.

– Nonito 'Filipino Flash' Donaire, Jr.

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The Donaire-Concepcion showdown highlights the “Pinoy Power 2" boxing card, which also features another Filipino bet, Bernabe Concepcion challenging Steven Luevano for the WBO featherweight title. Light-welterweight Mark Jason Melligen’s 10-round is also seeing action against Mexican Michael Rosales.

This is also the first time that Donaire is headlining a Pinoy-powered extravaganza in Las Vegas, making him doubly determined to live up to expectations.

“Definitely, I’m gonna give my best para makuha natin ang title, for the world to know na maraming Filipino ang magaling at malaki ang puso natin," Donaire said in a separate interview on Sports Chat with Dennis Principe on DZSR recently.

Donaire last fought in April, stopping Raul Martinez in four in his “homecoming" at the Araneta Coliseum to retain his IBF flyweight crown. This smashing win has catapulted the California-based Donaire to the Ring Magazine’s Top 10 pound-for-pound list, where he currently ranks No. 7. – GMANews.TV