Philippines, 14 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PINOY PRIDE XXX: DONAIRE WANTS MORE


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU CITY ? For the past thirteen years Nonito Donaire,Jr has compiled a resume that most boxers can only dream of. He made his presence felt in five weight categories and also garnered Ring magazine?s Knockout of the Year and Upset of the Year for 2007, Knockout of the Year for 2011 and BWAA and Ring?s Fighter of the Year for 2012.

But a boxer?s fortunes can change overnight. Five months after losing his featherweight crown to Jamaican Nicholas Walters, the Filipino Flash is back in the country of his birth for his rebuilding process. He will be going back down to 122 lbs for his March 28 battle against William Prado of Brazil at the Araneta Coliseum.

Donaire is also working on adjusting his style. He told Cebu sportswriters during Tuesday?s press conference that he wants to stay long in boxing and he realizes that he will have to approach future fights with a different mentality. ?I became too dependent on my power.? Donaire said, ?My instinct was to fight back and try to get back at my opponent right away when I got hit.?

Donaire realizes that a smarter fight would have spelled the difference against the power-punching Walters; a sentiment shared by his father and trainer Nonito,Sr. The elder Donaire said that he reminded his son that he was only human, he can get knocked out if he gets hit really hard. For the next couple of weeks they will be working on rebooting his technique, remove bad habits and relying too much on power.


L-R: Albert Pagara, Donnie Nietes, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Nonito Donaire Jr pose during Tuesday's presscon of 'Pinoy Pride XXX' at the Rajah Park Hotel in uptown Cebu. Photo by Dong Secuya.

Standing in his way is the Brazilian Prado, who lost to fighters ? Paulus Ambunda and Scott Quigg - who would go on to win world title belts. But Donaire knows he should not take his opponent for granted. ?I know they want to make a name by beating me.? He stated.

The 32 year old Donaire also feels that he can achieve more. He alluded to the biblical Tower of Babel as a metaphor. Just like the people who wanted to reach the heavens by building that tower, Donaire said that he still wants to continue reaching for more success, accolades and world titles.

In fact, he is not ruling out the possibility of facing again the two who have recently beaten him ? Nicholas Walters and Guillermo Rigondeaux. Donaire is currently training here in Cebu at the ALA Gym.

Donaire feels very much at home in Cebu. He is fluent in the local dialect and Cebuano was the language of choice for the press conference held at the Rajah Park Hotel.

PINOY PRIDE 30: D-DAY will be headlined by Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes vs Gilberto Parra of Mexico for the ALA gym boxer?s defense of his WBO world light flyweight title. ?Prince? Albert Pagara will defend his IBF Inter-continental super bantamweight title against another Mexican, Rodolfo Hernandez.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.