Donaire focuses on health, safety in crisis
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Mar 2020
Nonito Donaire, Jr. will get a chance to win another world boxing title when the coronavirus pandemic is over but until then, he stays home in Las Vegas with wife Rachel and their two sons, keeping safe and healthy during this crisis.
Donaire, 37, won the first of his nine world championships in five weight divisions in 2007 and the future Hall of Famer has since been a dominant force in the sport. He was penciled to challenge WBC bantamweight titlist Nordine Oubaali of France in Los Angeles next month but the fight has been postponed indefinitely. Promoter Tom Brown won the purse bid to stage the bout which will pit Donaire against the undefeated two-time Olympian. Oubaali, 33, turned pro in 2014, seven years after Donaire knocked out Vic Darchinyan to capture his first world crown. While Donaire awaits confirmation of his next fight, he’s been working out in his garage with weights and on the treadmill. He’s not letting a day pass without breaking into a sweat and doing his drills.
“We’re mostly staying indoors,” said Donaire in a WhatsApp message from his Las Vegas home. “At the beginning of quarantine, Rachel just got back from Cabo on a girls trip. We were able to go on the strip before everything shut down. We restocked our food with mostly fruits and vegetables to keep our immune system up.”
Donaire said his sons Jarel, 6, and Logan, 4, are taking turns on the treadmill so the family’s staying fit together. “Jarel just hit 9:56 for a mile and Logan, 6:57 for a half-mile,” he said. “They’ve been doing remote learning through the ZoomApp with their school. As far as Las Vegas is concerned, because the majority of income comes from the casinos, it has been a change in mindset. Crime has been going up and with an open carry state, everyone is packing guns. On the positive side, with those staying in quarantine and adhering to the six-foot distance, Nevada has remained on the lower end of those infected.”
Donaire gave five points of advice to weather this crisis. “First, thank God for your health and family and the time you are being given … pray,” he said. “Second, focus on your health and safety. We all made great resolutions and now, God has given us that time to fulfill them and taken all distractions out. Third, stay positive. Remember that stress lowers the immune system. Fourth, go into your backyard and get fresh air and sun. Finally, love! Love one another, not just your family but your neighbor. We are in this together. Be kind to the next person you are speaking with.”
Donaire said he plans to set up training camp for Oubaali in San Mateo, California, with his father Dodong and strength/conditioning expert Mike Bazzel. Last November, Donaire and Naoya Inoue figured in a super WBA/IBF unification duel that was awarded Fight of the Year honors by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Donaire lost his super WBA bantamweight title on points in the brawl but the effort took him to No. 1 in the WBC standings, earning the right to face Oubaali as the mandatory challenger.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 June 2025: Zurdo Outpoints Dorticos, Keeps WBA/WBO Cruiser Titles; Mbilli Stops Sulecki in 1; Wins by Kuroki, Wilder and Jake Paul
By Eric Armit, Tue, 01 Jul 2025IIEE Titans secured Finals in BPBL, IIEE Chessmasters retain on top level in Bundesliga
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Tue, 01 Jul 2025CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
Tue, 01 Jul 2025Dumadag holds chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 01 Jul 2025Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
By Ace Freeman, Mon, 30 Jun 2025DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
Mon, 30 Jun 2025Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Mon, 30 Jun 2025SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 30 Jun 2025Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 29 Jun 2025