by Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, a four division world champion,  feels terrific and plans to move up in weight. Donaire spoke to BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard after another hard day’s workout capped by ten rounds of sparring against three separate opponents at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California.

Donaire who trains three times a day said - “I feel strong and better than ever and I'll go up to featherweight."

Donaire is still eager to fight Abner Mares but a possible opponent is Indonesia’s undefeated WBA featherweight champion Chris John (48-0-2, 22 KO’s), who defends his title against Japan’s Satoshi Hosono (23-2, 17 KO’s) on April 14 in Jakarta.

Donaire, named “Fighter of the Year” by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America, BoxingScene.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports and many other organizations, told us he trains with strength and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel at 4:00 a.m. then works out at 2:00 p.m. in the gym and at late night which is done to approximate fight time, adding - “ I've been really focused and feel good.”

Donaire said he is “putting on a lot of weight working with Bazzel and feels great after sparring ten rounds” especially against featherweight Victor Pasillas whom he described as very good former US amateur fighter with a pro record of 3-0 with 1 knockout.

Donaire said Pasillas is “a good lefty very tough, very strong” and  believes the 21 year old southpaw is even better than his April 13 opponent, WBA champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, the undefeated former Cuban Olympic gold medalist and reigning WBA champion with a record of 11-0 with 8 knockouts.

Pasillas who is from East Los Angeles won his pro debut beating Jose Garcia from King City, California in a featherweight bout by a 40-36 shutout over four rounds in an off-TV fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fourth showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last December 8.

Pasillas was described as “the busier and better fighter” and coasted to victory.

Donaire sounded extremely happy and said he was “excited” over the anticipated July birth of his first child by wife Rachel Donaire, a former Taekwondo champion.