DONAIRE LOOKS GOOD IN SPARRING AT ALA GYM IN CEBU
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Jun 2015
Five division world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire has looked good in sparring at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu, following his arrival some four days ago.
ALA Promotions head trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that Donaire is being trained by his father, ?Dodong? Donaire and that Nonito ?looks in much better condition than before ?when he faced Brazil?s William Prado in a ?Pinoy Pride? fight card at the Araneta Coliseum.
Prior to his arrival in the Philippines, Donaire was training in Las Vegas in preparation for his ten round non-title fight against European champion Anthony Settoul of France on July 18 in Macau and told us he is taking no chances and is eager to put on a show as he looks forward to a possible title fight.
Donaire told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he is ?training very hard and really well? and was looking forward to training in Cebu ?to get some sparring there? where several talented fighters from the ALA Gym would be available.
Donaire indicated he didn?t wish to make a statement in his fight against Settoul but wanted the fans ?to see in the fight what we have trained for.?
Villamor told us Donaire sparred with Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo who will clash with Mexico?s Rafael ?Guerrito? Reyes in ?Pinoy Pride XXXI? in a ALA Promotions card headlined by WBO light flyweight and longest reigning Filipino world champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes against mandatory challenger and former WBO minimum weight champion Francisco Rodriguez on July 4 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu.
Villamor said ?Nonito has been here three d ays and has looked good in training.? He is in Cebu with wife Rachel and their two young sons.
The 32 year old Donaire who has a record of 34-3 with 22 knockouts is coming off a 2nd round TKO victory over Brazil?s William Prado last March 28 in which he won the vacant North American Boxing Federation title when internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish called a halt at 2:16 of the round when Donaire was battering the Brazilian.
It was a confidence-building victory after Donaire suffered a stunning 6th round TKO at the hands of Jamaica?s bigger and stronger Nicholas ?Axe Man? Walters at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on October 18, 2014.
Walters failed to make the weight for his title defense against Miguel Marriaga on Sunday, Manila Time, and was stripped of his WBA featherweight title.
The 28 year old Frenchman Settoul has a record of 20-3 with 8 knockouts and won the vacant European Union bantamweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Craig Lyon on December 7, 2012, sending Lyon into retirement.
Settoul is coming off a 1st round TKO in a scheduled six round bout against journeyman Ignac Kassai of Hungary who had a poor record of 14-35 with 4 knockouts last October 2, 2014.
Most boxing aficionados expect the Macau showdown to be another opportunity for Donaire to showcase his ring savvy, speed and punching power en route to a stiffer challenge down the road after Top Rank decided not to enter a purse bid for a title eliminator with Mexico?s Hugo Ruiz who was subsequently declared mandatory challenger for the WBC title held by Leo Santa Cruz who is expected to relinquish his super bantamweight crown and move up in weight.
Donaire is aiming for a crack at WBA super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg of Britain.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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