By Ronnie Nathanielsz, photos by Pete Amador
Five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” sparred earlier today in Puerto Rico on the eve of his press conference to formally announce his WBO super bantamweight title fight against tough Mexican Cesar Juarez who is ranked No.1, one slot ahead of Nonito who is rated No.2.
Team Donaire arrived in Puerto Rico sometime around 11:00 a.m. which was almost midnight in Manila and his father/trainer “Dodong” Donaire told the New Standard/BoxingScene.com that Nonito sparred with Fidel Navarette of Highland, Indiana with whom he has been sparring in Las Vegas.
“Dodong” Donaire said “Nonito is doing fine. He is doing good.”
The commitment of Donaire could be gauged by the fact that he brought in his sparring partner Navarette.
His father/trainer described Navarette as “tough and a little bit taller and he gave Nonito good work to make sure he is in shape and he is about 70 percent right now.”
He said Donaire “cannot relax against Juarez because he has power too and he is coming to fight. “
“Dodong” Donaire underscored the fact that Nonito is a different fighter from the recent past pointing out that “he is really fast this time, hand-speed, legs are there. That’s why I am looking forward to a showdown with Vasily Lomachenko but we have to finish this job first.”
The 24 year old Juarez has a record of 17-3 with 13 knockouts and is coming off a twelve round unanimous decision win over Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr in a clash for the vacant WBO International title last July 25 after he dropped Sanchez Jr in the 10th round.
However, Juarez lost by a majority decision to Hugo Partida in a WBC FECARBOX Interim title fight on February 2, 2013.
Partida is the same fighter who was dropped three times in the opening round by undefeated Prince Albert Pagara on June 21, 2014 in a battle for the IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight title.
