There are two things that keep Nonito Donaire operating at full throttle even as he nears 40 years of age.
First is to become undisputed champion at bantamweight; the second is to win a fifth world title in as many weight classes.
Fresh from disposing of mandatory challenger Reymart Gaballo in their all-action, all-Filipino slugfest in Carson, California, Donaire expressed his desire to unify all the straps at 118 lbs before dropping down to super-fly (115).
“My ultimate goal (is to win a 115 world title),” Donaire said during the post-fight press conference.
But before Donaire, 39, pursues that job, he has to collect the three belts out there and add them to his World Boxing Council strap.
“My main goal (right now) is definitely getting all the belts and whoever stands in that way. That’s the goal, becoming undisputed champion of the world,” said Donaire, who has won world titles at fly (112), bantam (118), super-bantam (122) and feather (126).
Right now, Donaire is pointing towards a rematch with Naoya Inoue of Japan, holder of the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation belts.
Richard Schafer, who handles Donaire’s affairs, said that he has already had initial talks with Japanese boxing tycoon Akihiko Honda.
If Donaire gets a rematch with Inoue, the next step would be to snatch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) jewels.
Currently, John Riel Casimero is the WBO champion but all that could change if the boxing body ends up stripping him off of the crown following the fiasco in Dubai where Casimero was unable to fight owing to a medical emergency.
As for meeting Inoue again, Donaire said he would not think twice about flying to Japan and collide with the guy who dealt him a heartbreaking loss more than two years ago.
“That’ would be great. I went there once and I can do it again. That’s Richard’s point of view to make. I will fight in anybody’s backyard.”
Donaire swears taking all the bantam belts makes him extra-motivated.
“Whoever holds that belt is who I’m fighting. If he puts himself in that position, then yes. I have never ducked anyone and I will not be that person (who ducks). I will fight and I will have my goal and have four belts here right now.”
Indeed, the future looks rosy for Donaire.
