FILE – WBO junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire of the Philippines is introduced in the ring prior to title defense against Jessie Magdaleno at the Thomas & Mack Center on November 5, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
Nonito Donaire, a one-time Fighter of the Year and five-division World champion, is determined to prove to the boxing community that he is far from being a pushover.
The 35-year-old Donaire said he is in no way past his prime as a fighter and even said that despite his advanced age, he’s just on his way to peaking.
As per BoxingScene.com, Donaire is aware that people have labeled him as old but the Filipino Flash believes otherwise as he goes on a press tour with opponent Carl Frampton in the latter’s hometown of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
“It’s great to be here in Belfast, some people are writing me off as ‘the old guy’ but I feel I’m peaking now both physically and in terms of experience,” said Donaire in the BoxingScene.com report.
“Being in Belfast, the weather is cold but the welcome is warm. I’ve had people coming up to me, many of them who are serious Frampton fans, and welcome me to the city. I appreciate that,” added Donaire who is four years the senior of Frampton.
Donaire, the 2012 Fighter of the Year, will face 2016 Fighter of the Year Frampton on April 21 at SSE Arena in Belfast for the interim WBA World featherweight title and the winner can book a shot at regular champion Oscar Valdez.
Frampton (24-1), a two-division World champion, has been nothing but respectful towards Donaire (38-4) who has won World titles in the flyweight, super flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight, and featherweight divisions.
“I have a lot of respect for Donaire, he’s a quality fighter and has accomplished more than anyone else I have ever fought,” said Frampton who won World titles in the featherweight and super bantamweight classes.
“It’s going to be a big thing for me to get the result here on Saturday night, that’s why I trained so hard. I’m lucky to be fighting here in Belfast and bringing Donaire here. It’s an honor,” added Frampton.