Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire aims to add another belt to his collection. DONAIRE TWITTER
MANILA, Philippines — A four-division world champion, Nonito Donaire has nothing left to prove.
But even at 38 years old, “The Filipino Flash” has no plans of slowing down just yet.
“I have a dream which is to be the undisputed bantamweight champion, and at 38-years-old I think I am capable of doing it,” said Donaire in a story on BoxingScene.com.
Standing in Donaire’s way is undefeated WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali as they face off on May 29 in California.
“The first step is on May 29 against Nordine Oubaali, a good fighter, but he’s never faced an opponent like me, and then we are definitely going to pursue a rematch with Inoue and gather the rest of the belts,” he said.
Happy Monday! Y'all ready for fight week and Saturday? I know I am! #AndTheNew #wbc #wbcchampion #boxer #boxing #gloves #champion pic.twitter.com/XCSRUVk97F
— Nonito Donaire (@filipinoflash) May 25, 2021
Both Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs) and Oubaali (17-0, 12 KOs) have not fought since October 2019.
Donaire’s last bout was against unbeaten Japanese champion Naoya Inoue, who suffered a broken nose and orbital bone in the grueling bout.
Oubaali’s last outing, meanwhile, was a unanimous decision win over Naoya’s brother Takuma to retain his WBC belt for the second time.
Brimming with confidence, Donaire doesn’t see himself needing the full 12 rounds to regain his world champion status.
“I feel good, at 38-years-old I have had to change some things, take good care of my diet, train much better, but if I continue to feel this way, I will be able to fight for 5 or 10 more years,” he said.
“I want to achieve many things, but first I have to show what I can do on May 29. We are ready to give a great fight and show that I am better than Oubaali. Without a doubt, I believe that I am capable of knocking him out.”