Nonito Donaire (Photo : REUTERS)
Closing the show for Filipino fighters is former five-division world champion, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's) who will take on Mexico City's Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KO's) in what should be an entertaining 'showcase' of Donaire's various gifts.
The junior featherweight bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and is a co-feature on a card headlined by top prospect Felix Verdejo, taking place at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 11.
Earlier this year, three super fights took place. Manny Pacquiao finally clashed with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Brian Viloria challenged pound-for-pound king Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez, and just recently, Drian Francisco squared off against Guillermo Rigondeaux.
All three Filipino fighters figured in losses however, and now, it's Donaire's turn to bat.
Donaire is currently riding a two-fight win streak since being brutally stopped by Nicholas "Axe Man" Walters in 2014. He has also knocked out his two most recent opponents. Going into this Juarez fight, Donaire is expected to continue his momentum heading into the new year as he chases another elusive world title.
The Juarez bout is supposedly being contested for the WBO super bantamweight title that was stripped from Donaire tormentor Guillermo Rigondeaux, but nothing has been set in stone and Rigondeaux has since then appealed the decision by the sanctioning body.
Regardless of whether or not a title is at stake however, it would serve Donaire best if he can come up with another sizzling performance. He's looked absolutely fantastic as of late, citing a rededication to the sport that once saw him at the apex.
Despite his recent performances, Donaire is taking a step back and analyzing where he's at in his career.
"I'm going to give it all I've got. If it's not safe for me, then I'm done," said Donaire, in an interview with Boxing Scene.
Donaire has had a long career, with himself peaking as high up as number three on most pound-for-pound lists after a stellar 2012 run that saw him fight an unprecedented four high-profile fights within a year. Because of his dominant performances, he was awarded 2012 Fighter of the Year and looked to be unstoppable.
But a lack of love and focus on the sport left Donaire vulnerable to a loss, and that's exactly what happened when he met Rigondeaux in 2013. Donaire dropped a unanimous decision to a beatable Rigondeaux despite sending the undefeated Cuban to the canvas in the 10th, and then shortly after, Donaire bit off more than he could chew against Walters in 2014.
Now, he's here, on the cusp of what could be a resurgent run back up to the top, or, maybe a final call for retirement.
One person who may know where Donaire is at in his career is his wife, Rachel, who herself is a former champion martial artist. According to Rachel, Nonito still has the fire and can continue boxing.
"My wife is very supportive. She's a fighter herself and she tells me 'if you are going to continue the way you were going, you're done with boxing. I'm not going to support you. But then I told her I'm going to do it and she sees the difference in me and she supports me," said Donaire.
"It's great to be able to have this opportunity again and I want to prove myself, mentally and physically in my performance. I want to be able to prove. This time I care about it and I'm going to make the best out of it and I'm going to be world champion."
