By Nick Giongco
Nonito Donaire believes he still have championship juices that the Fil-Am puncher is raring to get back and regain his place among the very best.
Late last year, Donaire almost inflicted Naoya Inoue’s first loss in a slambang shootout in Saitama, Japan.
Drawing inspiration from his strong showing, Donaire feels it only proved that he remains a force to be reckoned with when he spoke during a PBC podcast recently.
“Being the underdog, you know, people telling me that I couldn’t last for a round or four, and then I gave him hell, I mean it was sweet to be that way. And that’s why we’re pursuing the takeover whenever boxing opens up.”
Donaire, who was supposed to battle Frenchman Nordine Oubaali for the World Boxing Council title last May 16, is keen on returning since “there an unfinished business I am trying to handle at 118 (bantamweight division).”
A holder of world titles in four weight classes, Donaire, 37, is looking to “take all over again.”
Despite losing to Inoue, regarded as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound, Donaire insists the experience was beneficial.
“Big learning lesion for me to know where I am,” said Donaire, who packs a 40-6 card with 26 KOs.
Still, the Inoue bout restored the belief in Dobaire that he is far from being labeled as a spent shell.
“The experience that I [had] in that fight, I know that I have a lot of gas in my tank,” said Donaire.