World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire of the Philippines is confident about the June 7 title unification fight with World Boxing Association ‘’super’’ and International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’The Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama Prefecture as he answered the questions by media on May 31 in the form of a pooled coverage.

Question: What is your condition now?
Answer: I’m fine on every front. I feel excited because my weight-reduction effort and conditions are going extremely smoothly.

Q: Your first fight with Inoue was held at the same place in November, and it was a little bit cold. But this time the weather is fairly warm. Do you feel any difference?
A: I don’t care about the time difference, weather, etc. This is because I have been in a good physical condition. I came to Japan to fight, and it does not matter whether it is snow or anything.

Q: Have you changed your training method or food after your first fight with Inoue? Have you got any good results?
A: I have come to change everything to become stronger, in terms, for example of food, training method, my way of thinking and the whole thing. The thing I have changed most is my way of thinking. I have been very well prepared for the upcoming fight. My desire to win the fight is strong

Q: You said you will show the different Donaire. What is the difference? You have conquered five different weight divisions so far. You said you are stronger than before. Any comments?
A: I think I have become stronger ever since that fight (with Inoue). My previous fight was a kind of fight which served me in good stead because I have found my new desire (to beat Inoue). Thanks to this desire, I am excited more than ever. I think I have become a stronger boxer. I have also grown personally.

Q: In your previous fight, you were dropped by Inoue’s left hook to the body. Are your confident about not being hit to the body. Or, are you planning to change your fighting style so that you can avoid his body shots?
A: Yes, I am confident in terms of everything because I have trained myself hard to cope with that. I am also confident strategically and physically. I am ready for a ‘’full-scale war’’ with him.

Q: What is a key to the fight?
A: Everything I have prepared for the fight. I will fight by mobilizing everything I have prepared for and experienced, which I think will lead to my victory.

Q: Right after your arrival in Japan (May 22), we have heard you had 10 rounds of a sparring session at one time. We think it appears too many at that point. Do you usually have that many sparring session at one time?
A: I think 10 rounds of sparring at one time is normal. This week I had 18-20 rounds of sparring in total (not at one time). I think it’s normal considering a week before the fight. That sparring you mentioned was about two weeks ago. It depends on the time schedule. Anyway, I am well prepared to put myself in tip-top condition on the fight day.

Q: We think you saw the video of Inoue’s three fights after your fight. Have you noticed any progress or growth of Inoue?

A: Yes, I noticed his change. But I have changed more.

Q: Inoue has a possibility to move up in weight to super bantamweight (after fighting you). Do you think he can show his power at the present bantamweight in the super bantamweight division as well?
A: If he can be well prepared, I think he has that potential. I also conquered several weight divisions. I think he has that potential, too.

Q: Do you have any special idea in mind about your gloves, shoes and gown?
A: I will use the colors of orange and blue. They say I look like a (Son) Goku (a fictional character and the protagonist of the popular Japanese cartoon Dragon Ball series). I myself like Dragon Ball very much. But I use these colors because they represent chakra (from yoga)
The blue color signifies my voice while the orange color represents myself. That’s why I use these two colors. You can become Super Saiyan by babbling, ‘’Huh, Huh.’’

Q: Have you talked to your wife and children about your fight this time around? Or, any promise?
A: The only one thing. ‘’I will win.’’ I will never look back on the past. I am focused on the fight.

Q: Despite your being a 39-year-old, if you win the fight, you can also enhance your possibility of unifying the titles of the four major sanctioning bodies. What do you think about that?
A: Yes, unifying the titles of the four major governing bodies is my purpose, target and motivation. With the fight with Inoue as a launching pad, I want to capture all the championship belts.

Q: Inoue said the fight with you this time will not become a drama (like the one in the first showdown) because he said he wants to win it without much ado. Any message to Inoue?
A: I feel the same way.

Q: Any final message about the fight with Inoue?
A: I will never look back on my past. Because you cannot recover it. So, what is past is past. It does not mean anything. The one who survives has the right to conquer everything. That is the kind of idea I have now. I think my opponent will also feel that way.]

Q: Any message to Japanese fans?
A: Thank you for your support. I hope you will not miss this superb fight. We the two warriors will fight with all our might. I think boxing fans can feel our fighting spirit, and the fight will prove to be the one which will satisfy all of you.’’
Photos by Teiken Boxing Gym