Philippines, 07 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Donaire focuses on health, safety in crisis


PhilBoxing.com




Nonito Donaire, Jr. will get a chance to win another world boxing title when the coronavirus pandemic is over but until then, he stays home in Las Vegas with wife Rachel and their two sons, keeping safe and healthy during this crisis.

Donaire, 37, won the first of his nine world championships in five weight divisions in 2007 and the future Hall of Famer has since been a dominant force in the sport. He was penciled to challenge WBC bantamweight titlist Nordine Oubaali of France in Los Angeles next month but the fight has been postponed indefinitely. Promoter Tom Brown won the purse bid to stage the bout which will pit Donaire against the undefeated two-time Olympian. Oubaali, 33, turned pro in 2014, seven years after Donaire knocked out Vic Darchinyan to capture his first world crown. While Donaire awaits confirmation of his next fight, he’s been working out in his garage with weights and on the treadmill. He’s not letting a day pass without breaking into a sweat and doing his drills.

“We’re mostly staying indoors,” said Donaire in a WhatsApp message from his Las Vegas home. “At the beginning of quarantine, Rachel just got back from Cabo on a girls trip. We were able to go on the strip before everything shut down. We restocked our food with mostly fruits and vegetables to keep our immune system up.”

Donaire said his sons Jarel, 6, and Logan, 4, are taking turns on the treadmill so the family’s staying fit together. “Jarel just hit 9:56 for a mile and Logan, 6:57 for a half-mile,” he said. “They’ve been doing remote learning through the ZoomApp with their school. As far as Las Vegas is concerned, because the majority of income comes from the casinos, it has been a change in mindset. Crime has been going up and with an open carry state, everyone is packing guns. On the positive side, with those staying in quarantine and adhering to the six-foot distance, Nevada has remained on the lower end of those infected.”

Donaire gave five points of advice to weather this crisis. “First, thank God for your health and family and the time you are being given … pray,” he said. “Second, focus on your health and safety. We all made great resolutions and now, God has given us that time to fulfill them and taken all distractions out. Third, stay positive. Remember that stress lowers the immune system. Fourth, go into your backyard and get fresh air and sun. Finally, love! Love one another, not just your family but your neighbor. We are in this together. Be kind to the next person you are speaking with.”

Donaire said he plans to set up training camp for Oubaali in San Mateo, California, with his father Dodong and strength/conditioning expert Mike Bazzel. Last November, Donaire and Naoya Inoue figured in a super WBA/IBF unification duel that was awarded Fight of the Year honors by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Donaire lost his super WBA bantamweight title on points in the brawl but the effort took him to No. 1 in the WBC standings, earning the right to face Oubaali as the mandatory challenger.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 07 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
    , Fri, 06 Feb 2026
  • Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • “Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
    , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 05 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
    , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 04 Feb 2026
  • Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • “I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
    , Tue, 03 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.