DONAIRE 'VERY EXCITED' OVER PROSPECT OF FIGHTING WBA CHAMPION QUIGG FOR WORLD TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 10 Jul 2015
Five division world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire says he is "very excited" over the prospect of fighting WBA super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg of Britain possibly in Dubai in a big Top Rank card later this year but said he first needs to hurdle the challenge posed by former European champion Anthony Settoul of France in Macau on July 18.
Donaire who has had some torrid eight round sparring sessions with Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo, "Prince"Albert Pagara and Mark Bernaldez at the ALA Gym in Cebu told the New Standard boxingmirror.com said he hs had "real quality sparring with excellent sparring partners" and that he only has "a little to go" to reach peak condition for the Settoul ten-round non title fight.
Donaire's father/trainer "Dodong" Donaire told us that the bout against Settoul is "a very important fight because he is looking for a showdown with Quigg. He is preparing for that fight also."
"Dodong" said that while Nonito is "doing good" in sparring he is "still a little sluggish but he's getting there."
Donaire said he had "watched a couple of rounds" of Settoul's fights and described the French boxer as "very smart and fast and we are working on being smart as well."
He said the way Settoul "prioritizes movement I think that's why his power is not so dominant as mine because I prioritize knocking you out. That's one thing I do. If I hit it's all offense, there's no defense into it. For him, if he pushes and moves he puts defense into it moving away and that's why his power is lacking a little."
Donaire said he is being driven by the excitement of once again fighting for a world title. We are willing to fight anybody. Fighting for a world title, that's what we are here for. I don't pick and choose.I hope I get that opportunity."
Against Settoul he plans to "get the left hook going and put the guy to sleep. We always go out there not to win by decision but to go and take it and not depend on anyone elses decision decision" but added that if Settoul "comes in tougher than we expect,we can go as many rounds as possible."
He described Quigg who defends his title against Mexico's Kiko Martinez on the same day that Donaire faces Settoul, as "a strong fighter. He is not a world champion for nothing. We are here to fight guys that are good. Hopefully we can make it happen."
Donaire who engaged "Prince" Albert Pagara in a series of furious exchanges in his final sparring session before tapering off in a couple of rounds with Bernaldez and then flying to Manila indicated he is "very excited to fight for all the Filipinos in Dubai. I know it will create great entertainment and excitement for them and it can grow support for boxing in Dubai."
In commending his sparring partners Donaire made it clear "you can't buy quality but you can buy quantity. There's no place better than the ALA Gym because we sparred with top guys and up and coming fighters. They are the future of Philippine boxing and to be able to spar against them and help them out as they help me out, is great."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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