Donaire keen to match Pacquiao’s longevity
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2019 16:17:40 +0000
World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. believes that he can match Manny Pacquiao’s longevity in the ring.
“I think I will be able to do the same because I’m very healthy and I dedicate my days to training,” the four-division world champion told The Manila Times on Sunday through an overseas call.
“Marami pa (There are more [fights] coming). This is what I really love doing.”
“I want to extend it as long as I can. I love the game and I feel that I still have a lot to give and to offer,” said Donaire, adding he wants to fight in his 40s and 50s. “Oh yeah, kung pwede (if possible). As long as I’m feeling healthy and as long as I’m training constantly, I don’t see why not.”
Donaire’s compatriot Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion at age 40, beat Keith Thurman via split decision for the WBA super welterweight championship on July 20, 2019 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 36-year-old Donaire is set to fight a challenger 10 years younger in Naoya Inoue on November 7 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The 118-pound unification bout, with the Muhammad Ali trophy at stake, is among the featured events of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) finals.
Inoue (18-0 win-loss record with 16 knockouts) is the WBA regular bantamweight champion and the International Boxing Federation bantamweight champion.
Donaire (40-5 record with 26 knockouts) said a good mindset, not a boxer’s actual age, is important to remain in the game.
“That it is just a number (age). It’s the mental aspect — the training and the discipline — that’s what makes us young. You have to eat healthy, you have to do your blood test and see what is good for you. And for me, I know exactly what I need to eat and I stick to that.”
Donaire said he is ready to collide with Inoue.
“I’m very confident in this fight. I feel my power, my size and my experience. We are looking at a very, very strong Nonito Donaire going into this fight. And victory is something that we foresee in this fight.”
Donaire said at his age, what he is seeing is improvement not decline.
“I think my power has improved a lot and I think I’m getting fast because of the work I’m doing. Mindset, training and diet, all of it. You have to have the right mentality to be the best.”
Donaire is currently under trainer Kenny Adams.
Donaire beat Irish pug Ryan Burnett via fourth round technical knockout last November 3 in the WBSS quarterfinals in Glasgow, Scotland. He then scored a sixth round technical knockout victory over late replacement Stephon Young of the US in the semifinals last April 27 in Lafayette, United States.
Inoue is coming from a second round technical knockout win against erstwhile IBF champion Emmanuel Rodriguez in the WBSS semifinals last May 18 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Donaire started his training camp for the Inoue fight last week.