Donaire vows to be better, smarter

CEBU, Philippines – He suffered a gut-wrenching defeat in his previous bout, but former five-division world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (33-2, 21KOs)  firmly believes that he still has a bright future in boxing and that he will prove it when he battles William Prado of Brazil (22-4, 15KOs) for the vacant WBC North America Boxing Federation super bantamweight title in the co-main event of "Pinoy Pride 30:D-Day" on March 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Donaire said he learned his lessons well from that sixth round knockout loss to Jamaican banger Nicholas Walters that cost him his WBA super featherweight crown on October 18 last year at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

"I made a mistake and I learned a lot of lessons out of that defeat against Walters. I rushed things up, wanting to finish him off early. Had I stuck to our gameplan, things would have been different," said Donaire in a chat with sportscribes at the lobby of Rajah Park Hotel yesterday.

Despite that crushing setback that sent him crashing back to earth, Donaire said hanging up his gloves for good never crossed his mind as he knows deep within that he still what it takes to be in line with the world's elite fighters.

"Honestly, I did not think about retirement after that loss because I have no doubt that I still have a future in boxing," said Donaire, who speaks fluent Bisaya.

As he braces for his return bout with redemption at the back his mind, Donaire vows to be a better and smarter fighter.

"I want to stay long in boxing and to achieve that, I have to use my head. Aside from making use of my speed and power, I have to play smart,' said Donaire, who is in final phase of his rigorous training at Cebu's famed ALA Boxing Gym.

"One thing I can promise to my fans is that they will see a new and more youthful Donaire with a different fighting style. My loss to Walters was a big learning experience for me and that greatly changed my mentality to be an overall fighter."

Pressed on his motivation going into his match against Prado, Donaire said all he wants is to get back at the winning track, regain lost pride and show that he still belongs in the upper echelon of boxing.

"What really motivates me is the thought of getting back to the winning track and being able to challenge myself that I still have the fire to beat the best and elite boxers in my class out there," said Donaire.

"As for Prado, I don't know yet what kind of boxer he is. But I know for the fact that all the fighters who is going to fight me will always give their one hundred percent that's why we will come prepared and ready for whatever he brings into the table," he added.

The 33-year-old Donaire said he will fight as if there is no tomorrow against Prado as another defeat will certainly be the end of the road for him.

"Of course if I can't win with the likes of these guys, there's no point to continue. I have a pride as a boxer and I know if it's already the end and it's the time for me to say goodbye," he said.

This will be Donaire's first fight on Philippine soil since he scored a spectacular fourth round knockout to Mexican Raul Martinez six years ago also at the Big Dome.

And Donaire looks forward with excitement to start building his road to redemption right before his hometown fans.

"I'm very honored to be given this opportunity to fight alongside the future legends of Philippine boxing," said Donaire, referring to WBO light flyweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes and rising star 'Prince' Albert Pagara. "Hopefully we will be able to up up a good and highly entertaining fights and make our fellow countrymen proud." (FREEMAN)