Boxer Nonito Donaire is big favorite Saturday

by: Vittorio Tafur, Chronicle Staff Writer

The doors opened, and the people started pushing through to get close to the ring, simply to get a good look at possibly the next big thing in boxing. Many wore "Filipino Flash" T-shirts, and more than a few brought their kids for an event that alternated between being an open workout and a block party.

The Flash - a 5-foot-7, 122-pound bantamweight from San Leandro named Nonito Donaire - shone brightly. He showed his speed and power in the training session Feb. 5 at San Carlos' Undisputed Boxing Gym, answered questions from reporters and fans, and served the hundreds of people pizza and chicken wings.

Donaire then signed autographs and posed for pictures for a couple of hours until the long line of munching fans was finished.

"It is a great day," Donaire said, "the first of many."

Donaire and his fans are planning on the next one being Saturday. That's when Donaire (25-1) fights Fernando Montiel for Montiel's WBO and WBC championship belts in Las Vegas. Ring magazine ranks Donaire as the fifth-best pound-for-pound boxer in the world (Montiel is seventh), and Donaire wants to validate that.

"A lot of people still don't know who I am," Donaire said. "This fight would show that I belong among the elite. It would skyrocket my marketability, and it would lead to even bigger fights."
A rematch - already?

Donaire, 28, is a 2-to-1 favorite over the Mexican champ, Montiel (44-2-2), who already is calling for a rematch.

"I expect a tough fight, but I also expect to win," said Montiel, who - with four knockout wins in 2010 - is no slouch. "I'm not preparing myself for one war - I'm preparing myself for two wars. I'm that sure of a rematch."

Donaire has won 24 straight matches and is taking a step up in weight class. But like Manny Pacquiao - who, like Donaire, is from General Santos City in the Philippines - Donaire said he is getting better and bigger. After getting down to 118 pounds for this fight, he could foresee a climb in weight classes similar to what Pacquiao has made.

"The more I go up in weight, the stronger I become," Donaire said. "You are going to see a better Donaire at 122 and 126 pounds. I could probably fight as heavy as 130 or 135."

The Pacquiao-Donaire comparisons would get only louder with a win Saturday.

"Pacquiao is the face of the boxing world," promoter Bob Arum said, "but right behind him in the Philippines is (Donaire). ... I will be very happy if Nonito continues to win and reaches the prominent position he is capable of.

"You couldn't duplicate Ali and you couldn't duplicate Sugar Ray Leonard, but you can forge your own story and that's what Nonito is in the process of doing. Whether it resonates as much as Pacquiao remains to be seen."

The fight at Mandalay Bay Casino is sold out and will be televised live on HBO's "Boxing After Dark."

"This is an all-or-nothing fight that no one can miss," Donaire said.

Donaire, already featured twice this month in one-hour TV shows in the Philippines, shows no signs of being nervous for his star-making turn. In fact, he looks so comfortable in the ring you would think he lives, eats and sleeps in one. And he has.
Boxing genes

Donaire's father, Nonito Sr., was an amateur fighter and from an early age, Nonito Jr. trained at the boxing club in General Santos City where Pacquiao learned his craft. Nonito Jr. came to the United States at age 11 and, while at San Lorenzo High, won the district amateur boxing championship.

His father was his trainer until an ugly split in 2008, when the young fighter got married and signed with Arum's Top Rank promotions. Nonito Sr. took some shots at his son and wife Rachelle in the Philippine papers last year, essentially blaming the breakup on her becoming business manager and being greedy.

It has become almost a soap opera in the Philippines, but Donaire said that he won't address it again until after the fight and that his dad has his phone number if he wants to talk.

"All my attention has to be on Montiel," Donaire said. "He is the best fighter I have ever gone against. I have been working very, very hard, and I am going to knock him out."