DONAIRE FEELS STRONG, READY TO MOVE UP IN WEIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Mar 2013
WBO. Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire, the four division world champion feels terrific and plans to move up in weight should his promoter Top Rank fail to get him a fight with Abner Mares, the former WBC 122 pound champion, who recently relinquished his WBC 122 pound title and moved up in weight.
Mares (25-0-1, 13 KO?s) fights reigning WBA featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KO?s) on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Donaire spoke to the Manila Standard after another hard day?s workout capped by ten rounds of sparring against three separate opponents at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California.
Donaire who trains three times a day said ?I feel strong and better than ever and I'll go up to featherweight."
Donaire is still eager to fight Mares but a possible opponent is Indonesia?s undefeated WBA featherweight champion Chris John (48-0-2, 22 KO?s) who defends his title against Japan?s Satoshi Hosono (23-2, 17 KO?s) on April 14 in Jakarta.
Donaire, named ?Fighter of the Year? by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America, Ring, ESPN, Yahoo Sports and many other organizations told us he trains with strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel at 4:00 a.m. then works out at 2:00 p.m. in the gym and at late night which is done to approximate fight time, adding ?I've been really focused and feel good.?
Donaire said he is ?putting on a lot of weight working with Bazzel and feel great after sparring ten rounds? especially against featherweight Victor Pasillas whom he described as very good former US amateur fighter with a pro record of 3-0 with 1 knockout.
Donaire said Pasillas is ?a good lefty very tough, very strong? and believes the 21 year old southpaw is even better than his April 13 opponent, WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, the undefeated former Cuban Olympic gold medalist and reigning WBA champion with a record of 11-0 with 8 knockouts.
Pasillas who is from East Los Angeles won his pro debut beating Jose Garcia from King City, California in a featherweight bout by a 40-36 shutout over four rounds in an off-TV fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fourth showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last December 8.
Pasillas was described as ?the busier and better fighter? and coasted to victory.
Donaire sounded extremely happy and said he was ?excited? over the anticipated July birth of his first child by wife Rachel Donaire, a former Taekwondo champion.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Prayers for Jonathan
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 24 Apr 2025EUBANK JR VS. BENN MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 24 Apr 2025June 27: Christian Mbilli-Maciej Sulecki Interim Super Middleweight World Title Showdown Set for Videotron Centre in Quebec City LIVE on ESPN+
Thu, 24 Apr 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Nisa “Sweet-Destruction” Rodriguez Fighting this Saturday on a Pro-Am Card along with her son in Riverhead, NY
Thu, 24 Apr 2025Split-T Management Fighters Tyshawn Denson and Devon Young Advance in WBC Grand Prix Tournament
Thu, 24 Apr 2025Verano, Cha, Oppas, Uduna, Traya, Mancito in Hot Action in Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 23 Apr 2025LA Wins to Level Series With Minnesota; OKC, Indiana in Commanding 2-0 Leads
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 23 Apr 2025Disturbing, Eyebrow-Raising Happenings Involving Filipino Boxers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 23 Apr 2025HALL OF FAMER “THE COAL MINER’S DAUGHTER” CHRISTY MARTIN TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Wed, 23 Apr 2025EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
Wed, 23 Apr 2025Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
Wed, 23 Apr 2025Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
Wed, 23 Apr 2025The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
By Eric Armit, Tue, 22 Apr 2025Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
Tue, 22 Apr 2025Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 22 Apr 2025