FIVE-DIVISION world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is training very hard for his scheduled fight on Dec. 12, although the contract hasn’t been finalized.
Dodong Donaire, the father/trainer of Nonito, told The Standard/boxingmirror.com, that they are currently training in Las Vegas.
“He (Nonito) told me the fight will push through,” the elder Donaire said.
The opponent of Donaire, who is ranked No. 2 by the World Boxing Organization, is set to face No. 1-ranked Cesar Juarez of Mexico, the reigning WBO International champion, who won the title against Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr.
Juarez has a record 17-3 with 13 knockouts and is 24 years old, compared to Donaire, who is 33 and has a record of 35-3 with 23 knockouts.
Donaire is coming off back-to-back TKO victories, winning the North American Boxing Federation title with a second-round TKO over William Prado of Brazil on March 28, before overcoming Frenchman Anthony Settoul, the former European champion, also in two rounds in Macau on July 18.
“Nonito is doing good. He’s motivated and when I see him train, I notice he is more motivated than before. He is dedicated and working hard,” said Dodong.
The elder Donaire said they have been going eight rounds on the punch mitts, but they haven’t begin sparring yet because it’s too early.
Meanwhile, Dodong said the only fighter he is worried about now is Jason Pagara in the ALA Promotions-ABS-CBN’s inaugural venture in the US at a fight card in StubHub Center in Carson City, California on Sunday.
Jason (36-2, 22 KOs), who is ranked No. 2 light welterweight by the World Boxing Organization, faces Nicaragua’s Santos Benavides, who has a record of 19 knockouts in 25 wins with 7 losses and 2 draws, but Donaire indicated the Nicaraguan is a heavy-handed fighter and the Filipino will need to be careful.
However, the elder Pagara has sparred with undefeated Maurice “Might Mo” Hooker (18-0-2, 14 KOs) and done well, according to ALA Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor.
Donaire said that WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes’ eighth title defense against Mexican champion Juan Alejo “is going to be a good fight, but Donnie is a a very experienced fighter and should win.”
He said IBF Youth featherweight champion Mark Magsayo (13-0, 8 KOs) is a good fighter, but he faces a knockout artist in Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8 KOs) of Mexico and expressed the hope that Magsayo “won’t get careless and leave himself wide open.”
Donaire said unbeaten IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara is one of his favorite fighters.
“But his problem is he’s too eager and wants to go for an early knockout,” Donaire said.
He expressed confidence that should ALA Promotions get him a title fight, he can beat any of the 122-pound champions including IBF champion Carl Frampton.
He said Prince Albert has almost the same style as Frampton, but like Magsayo, is “sometimes too eager and wants to go in and get an early knockout.”
Prince Albert (24-0, 17 KOs) faces Nicaragua’s talented southpaw William Gonzalez (27-5-0, 23 KOs), who is quick, throws solid 1-2 combinations and likes to come forward in what many believe will be the toughest fight of the evening for the Ala boxers.
Donaire expressed disappointment that his Fil-American prospect, super featherweight Adam Fiel (6-0, 2 KOs) had to be pulled out of the card because all three of his opponents including the latest Edgar Valero had withdrawn, leaving Fiel for whom he has been trying hard to get a fight, out in the cold.