Nonito Donaire warns Magdaleno: ‘This is not a joke’

LAS VEGAS, USA – If talk is cheap, then Nonito Donaire raised its stock by speaking as few words as he could while addressing his WBO junior featherweight title defense against Jessie Magdaleno at Thursday’s undercard press conference at the Wynn Las Vegas.

In a display reminiscent of New Zealand’s All Blacks Haka dance, Donaire stood up, shouted “Team Victory!” twice with his crew echoing him from across the ballroom, beat his chest and sat down. Donaire was all business during the staredown as he looked into the eyes of a mandatory challenger who has an unbeaten record but has yet to fight on this level as a professional.

“Yeah, I was trying to punk him. He was punked a little bit,” said Donaire (37-3, 24 knockouts). “He tried to look into my eyes, but honestly whatever happens here, you’re gonna be forced to do it, even if he’s scared it doesn’t matter how he feels, only how he performs in there.”

WBO jr featherweight champ Nonito Donaire Jr (@FilipinoFlash) performs his war cry at the press con #pacvargas #boxing pic.twitter.com/gSwhxzOxHp

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) November 3, 2016

Magdaleno (23-0, 17 KOs) of Las Vegas was dismissive of Donaire’s exhibition earlier, saying he would “rip his head off” in their 12-round fight, which supports the Manny Pacquiao vs Jessie Vargas pay-per-view main event this Saturday, November 5 (Sunday Manila time) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Donaire, for his part, believes Magdaleno will see differently on fight night.

“When it gets tough, you will know that that is not a joke,” said Donaire.

“Whatever he gives me, aggressiveness or running, it’ll always play [into my hands] because of my focus, what I see that he’s capable of and what I know I am capable of.” (READ: Magdaleno on Donaire: ‘We’re gonna rip his head off’)

New trainer, new outlook

Donaire says he feels refocused since starting up with new trainer, Ismael Salas of Cuba, whom he says has brought out the best in him in their short time together. Donaire had previously been trained by his father, Nonito Donaire Sr, but says they split amicably because the younger Donaire wanted to stay in Las Vegas with his family instead of training in the Bay Area, where Donaire Sr lives.

Salas, who had trained both Magdaleno and former Donaire conqueror Guillermo Rigondeaux, believes his newest pupil has the stuff to beat anyone around his weight class when he’s fully prepared.

“He is a fighter, he is a warrior and he’s ready for fighting,” said Salas, who says Donaire sparred 120 rounds in preparation for this fight.

When asked if he thinks Magdaleno lasts the distance with Donaire, Salas said “I don’t think so.” (READ: Nonito Donaire stands as his own man on first Pacquiao card)

Cameron Dunkin, Donaire’s long-time manager, said he has spoken with Donaire’s promoter Bob Arum about potential big money fights with WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton (23-0, 14 KOs) of Northern Ireland, or even 

“Arum is talking about trying to make a Frampton fight, fights like that. Nonito’s ready at 126 again,” said Dunkin. “It’s a fight that I want. Or maybe one of these other guys, someone like [IBF featherweight champ Lee] Selby.”

Donaire has several questions to answer in this fight, which is his first in the continental United States since his 2014 loss to Nicholas Walters. Magdaleno figures to be his most difficult test in the last two years, and there will be many eyes from his native Philippines on him with Pacquiao in the main event. Donaire seems up to the task.

“He knows that when it comes down to power for power, that he’s not stronger than I am,” said Donaire.

“It’s not gonna be Fight of the Night. I’m gonna be Fighter of the Night, that’s pretty much which it is. I don’t go back and forth trying to make shit harder for me, I’m gonna try and make it as easy as I can.” – Rappler.com