Five division world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire is taking no chances in preparation for his ten round non-title fight against European champion Anthony Settoul of France on July 18 in Macau.
Donaire who is training under the watchful eyes of his father/trainer Nonito ?Dodong? Donaire Sr in Las Vegas, told the New Standard/boxingmirror.com that he is ?training very hard and really well? and plans to return to Cebu sometime next week ?to get some sparring there? where several talented fighters from the famed ALA Gym would be available.
Donaire indicated he didn?t wish to make a statement in his fight against Settoul but wants the fans ?to see in the fight what we have trained for.?
The 32 year old Donaire who has a record of 34-3 with 22 knockouts is coming off a 2nd round TKO victory over Brazil?s William Prado last March 28 in which he won the vacant North American Boxing Federation title when internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish called a halt at 2:16 of the round when Donaire was battering the Brazilian.
It was a confidence-building victory after Donaire suffered a stunning 6th round TKO at the hands of Jamaica?s bigger and stronger Nicholas ?Axe Man? Walters in Carson, CA on October 18, 2014.
The 28 year old Frenchman Settoul has a record of 20-3 with 8 knockouts and won the vacant European Union bantamweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Craig Lyon on December 7, 2012, sending Lyon into retirement.
Settoul is coming off a 1st round TKO in a scheduled six round bout against journeyman Ignac Kassai of Hungary who had a poor record of 14-35 with 4 knockouts last October 2, 2014.
Most boxing aficionados expect the Macau showdown to be another opportunity for Donaire to demonstrate his ring savvy, speed and punching power en route to a stiffer challenge down the road after Top Rank decided not to enter a purse bid for a title eliminator with Mexico?s Hugo Ruiz who was subsequently declared mandatory challenger for the WBC title held by Leo Santa Cruz who is expected to relinquish his super bantamweight crown and move up in weight.
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