Philippines, 03 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE FEELS STRONG, READY TO MOVE UP IN WEIGHT


PhilBoxing.com




WBO. Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire, the four division world champion feels terrific and plans to move up in weight should his promoter Top Rank fail to get him a fight with Abner Mares, the former WBC 122 pound champion, who recently relinquished his WBC 122 pound title and moved up in weight.

Mares (25-0-1, 13 KO?s) fights reigning WBA featherweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (44-4, 35 KO?s) on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Donaire spoke to the Manila Standard after another hard day?s workout capped by ten rounds of sparring against three separate opponents at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California.

Donaire who trains three times a day said ?I feel strong and better than ever and I'll go up to featherweight."

Donaire is still eager to fight Mares but a possible opponent is Indonesia?s undefeated WBA featherweight champion Chris John (48-0-2, 22 KO?s) who defends his title against Japan?s Satoshi Hosono (23-2, 17 KO?s) on April 14 in Jakarta.

Donaire, named ?Fighter of the Year? by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America, Ring, ESPN, Yahoo Sports and many other organizations told us he trains with strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel at 4:00 a.m. then works out at 2:00 p.m. in the gym and at late night which is done to approximate fight time, adding ?I've been really focused and feel good.?

Donaire said he is ?putting on a lot of weight working with Bazzel and feel great after sparring ten rounds? especially against featherweight Victor Pasillas whom he described as very good former US amateur fighter with a pro record of 3-0 with 1 knockout.

Donaire said Pasillas is ?a good lefty very tough, very strong? and believes the 21 year old southpaw is even better than his April 13 opponent, WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, the undefeated former Cuban Olympic gold medalist and reigning WBA champion with a record of 11-0 with 8 knockouts.

Pasillas who is from East Los Angeles won his pro debut beating Jose Garcia from King City, California in a featherweight bout by a 40-36 shutout over four rounds in an off-TV fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fourth showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last December 8.

Pasillas was described as ?the busier and better fighter? and coasted to victory.

Donaire sounded extremely happy and said he was ?excited? over the anticipated July birth of his first child by wife Rachel Donaire, a former Taekwondo champion.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • 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
  • Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
    , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 03 Feb 2026
  • Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 02 Feb 2026
  • 76ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Fit To Be Unified: Xander Zayas Defeats Abass Baraou To Unify Junior Middleweight World Titles
    , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Trazo beats Jabagat in Talisay
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Into fights Sanchez on Feb. 9 at Villa Kristen
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 01 Feb 2026
  • Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson: Styles Make Fights Fitting Cliche
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Bryan Flores Wins Majority Decision Over Starling Castillo in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • KinetixSports Legacy Run on March 1
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • THE RING 6: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Soccer Player Sergio Ramos to make professional boxing debut
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Weigh-In Results: Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Teofimo vs Shakur Fight Analysis
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Welterweight Showdown Canceled
    , Sat, 31 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS MURTAZALIEV AND KELLY CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Boxers Make Weight for Brico Santig’s Exciting 21-Bout Promotion in Thailand (PHOTOS)
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 30 Jan 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.