Donaire sees no problem shedding excess poundage

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. carried some heavy baggage in yesterday’s press conference drumming up his title fight against South African Simpiwe Vetyeka in Macau on May 31.

Donaire quietly stepped inside the garden ballroom of Edsa Shangri-La and faced members of the media, including those from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.

The 31-year-old Donaire will challenge Vetyeka for the WBA featherweight crown, seeking redemption and another world title in a fourth weight class.

Donaire looked great in a dark suit but later on admitted that underneath his clothing is a featherweight contender weighing close to 140 lb.

The fighter nicknamed “The Filipino Flash” admitted that since he knocked out old foe Vic Darchinyan last November, he spent a lot time in the kitchen.

Donaire said he pigged out on his favorite Filipino dishes.

“I love Filipino food – adobo, chicharon, crispy pata and lechon. And I’m about 140 right now. I was eating everything,” he said.

But the former world champion in the flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight divisions sees no problem dropping down to 126 lb for the fight.

It’s 39 days to the fight and just prior to that, the official weigh-in.  If he’s at 140 right now, then Donaire has to lose those pounds soon.

“It’s time to work really hard,” he said, adding that the hot and humid conditions in the country only make it easier for him to make weight.

“No worries. I feel good here with all the heat and humidity it will be easier for me,” said Donaire, who lost his IBF and WBO super-bantamweight titles to Guillermo Rigondeaux in April last year.

Top Rank is promoting the fight at The Venetian in Macau, and to spice up the press conference the firm brought in George Foreman Jr. as emcee.

The son of the legendary heavyweight champion found no better way to introduce Donaire.

“He’s one of my favorite fighters to watch, and he’s the reason I flew all the way here. I don’t know how he does it but he punches like George foreman,” he said.

After that bitter defeat, Donaire, the 2012 Fighter of the Year by the American Boxing Writers Association (BWAA) easily got back on track with the knockout win over Darchinyan.

Yesterday, he vowed to give it all against the South African.

“2012 was an amazing year and 2013 was a year of my crossroads. It was a year where I was questioning myself what I wanted to do.

“It was a year of trying to realize what was important to me. Is it my son (nine-month-old Jarel), my family or the belt?” he said.

Being reunited with his father Nonito Sr., who has taken over Robert Garcia as his son’s chief trainer, provided the Filipino knockout artist the push that he needed.

“I believe I’m ready to unleash the true potential of what I’m capable of doing. With my dad I will be able to unleash my true potential,” he said.

But first he needs to stay away from the chicharon.