Nonito Donaire (Photo : Chris Farina/Top Rank)
Former five-division world champion, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's) of the Philippines may have fallen from grace the last few years, but the 33-year old junior featherweight is out in search of redemption and a shot at another world title beginning with opponent Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KO's).
The duo lace their gloves on December 11, in a scheduled 12-round super bantamweight bout at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"My goal is to get back on top. I am refocused for what I must do in the ring," said Donaire, in an interview released by Top Rank.
"That's why this fight in Puerto Rico is so important for me and my boxing career. I am reading a book called The Power of Habits. It is about getting rid of bad habits and instead using good habits each and every day."
The brash Filipino-American titlist owns a pair of 2nd round TKO victories in his last two fights since succumbing to Nicholas Walters by knockout in October of 2014. Although it has come against meager opposition, it's still a great confidence booster for the once proud world champion who aims to get back on top.
"It all restarts for me on December 11," Donaire said.
Perhaps even more than a restart, this is more of a final push for Donaire, another shot at big money fights before calling it a day.
At 33 years of age, Donaire is no spring chicken and like all fighters, will eventually surrender his career to Father Time.
Donaire has enjoyed a magnificent run through boxing's lower weight divisions, besting former world champions like Vic Darchinyan, Wladimir Sidorenko, and Fernando Montiel. He won 2012 Fighter of the Year honors during an amazing four-fight showing which includes victories over Israel Vazquez Jr., Jeffrey Mathebula, Toshiaki Nishioka and Jorge Arce.
But as far as Donaire is concerned, his accomplishments are a thing of the past. What is important is the here and now, and Donaire is ready to strike whilst the iron is hot.
His opponent, Juarez, hails from Mexico City, Mexico and will be fighting outside of his native homeland for only the second time. He is the WBO international junior featherweight champion. Juarez however does not hold a victory over any recognizable name in the sport and is largely unknown.
That's all and good for Donaire though, as he looks to satisfy the crowd with another scintillating win. The end game for Donaire is another shot at Cuban sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux, who defeated Donaire in 2013.
Donaire expressed in a recent interview with Top Rank that he desires another crack at Rigondeaux, who is fresh of defeating former world title challenger Drian "Gintong Kamao" Francisco in Las Vegas just last week.
