Nonito Donaire Sr. isn’t waving the towel on the Philippines’ chances to win an Olympic gold medal courtesy of boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon.
But the father of world boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will have to work overtime against the world’s best ring gladiators in Rio de Janeiro in August.
“We have a huge chance, but they should train really hard because winning in the Olympics isn’t easy. All the experienced fighters are there,” the elder Donaire told Sun.Star Cebu.
Donaire is a top consultant of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP).
“They have to fight smart and not just rely on their brute strength. They have to combine speed, intelligence and power inside the ring. That’s the No. 1 key in winning in the Olympics,” he said.
Ladon and Suarez flew to the United States last week for the final preparation in their bid to land the country’s first ever gold medal.