Is Nonito Donaire still a live opponent?

Odds pending I'd bet Nonito in this fight. He can do it. Frampton is a lot smaller and Nonito can hit. Walters would decapitate Frampton.

Nonito is still dangerous, like very dangerous. I know he is older now but he has never taken too much punishment in his career. If anything, the schooling he received by Rigo has dented his confidence and maybe that’s making him second guess himself in the ring but physically he still has it imo.. Lil frampy, lil midget boy with comically short arms and legs is about to get dogged out by Nonito. Itll be like when Nonito was walking over tiny guys at the lower weights. This fight can make nonito look like a killer again.

Guys, he's barely a live opponent at super bantamweight. This fight is at featherweight. Donaire couldn't hang at featherweight... he got extremely lucky against Vetyeka (badly cut off a jab that was ruled clash of heads, got the TD instead of being stopped) and then was KTFO against Walters. Frampton is either going to stop him or easily UD him.

Live opponent? I guess. Barely. Just because of his experience and pedigree. But dude hasn't been able to pull the trigger for a few years now. I used to be a big Donaire fan. Still am actually but I'm not blinded to when a guy is done at the top level. Nonito has been done at the top level...for a while. He can't box at all anymore. His whole mindset now is to land one big shot. If Frampton just doesn't get caught he'll decision Donaire...and probably with ease.

I think Donaire will be super motivated for this fight against Frampton. He's been wanting to fight Frampton (and Mares and Santa Cruz) for a long time now. Donaire can draw inspiration from the recent victory of his fellow Filipino boxer Ancajas by coming to The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland and beat his opponent in his hometown.

i think he may have drawn against Magdaleno, a basic mexican. so yes he is competitive at a certain level. but he's still washed up at the top level

Donaire is past his best and didn't look very sharp against Magdeleno, even though that fight was still close. That being said, Donaire is still a live opponent. His speed and reflexes aren't there anymore, but he still has a puncher's chance. He's not the great fighter he once was before Rigondeaux, but Donaire is still a decent win for anyone's resume.

Definitely not in his prime, but gave Jessie Magdaleno all he could handle, and didn't want the rematch after with Donaire.... I expect Frampton to win but if Donaire is anything over +500, it's worth the shot.

Looking for the opinion of anyone who's followed his career closely? I like Carl Frampton but I'm not too sure on Nonito Donaire as a top level opponent. Donaire does have a big size advantage, massive reach advantage and those are things Frampton struggles with. Is Donaire just an old name to look good against though? Donaire is still a good fighter but no longer a great fighter IMO.

Donaire looks shot to me and has for a while.

Donaire is done, mentally and physically. He can't be expected to beat anybody decent.

Interesting fight, I do believe Donire has passed his expiration date, but still is a damn good talent

No. He's still a fun fighter to watch but he's not top comp anymore. It's pretty odd that frampton goes from 2016 FOTY to fighting Donaire in 2018. That's a pretty sad step backward.

The negative to Donaire is he just does not pull the trigger anymore and getting in range is harder for him. Older fighters often say when they get older that they just couldnt pull the trigger. And while people sit their waiting for Donaire to connect, the opponent meanwhile is piling up points. And Frampton does have great movement. On the plus side, Donaire has serious power if he lands since Frampton can be dropped. And he can pressure a fighter for 12 rounds. If Frampton adopts the Magdaleno style, it could work for him.....or maybe not. It would be a huge win if Donaire could pull it off.

Donaire hasn't looked anywhere near his best for years now. Rigo took most of his best and Walters took wha twas left. Then again, Frampton hasn't been at his best either, what with a change of team and promoter etc etc. It's a great crossroads fight.

I think the best version of Donaire beats the best version of Frampton. Both didn't show topnotch performance in their last fight and I think it stays that way then I pick Donaire to win.

Judging by Frampton's last performance, Donaire could be a difficult opponent. I'll give Frampton the benefit of the doubt in his last performance i.e coming off a long layoff, new trainer/team etc. but even so, Donaire's style might make for an interesting fight. I just think Donaire might be too far gone at this stage but who knows. I actually think it's a risky fight for Frampton. Most people think Donaire is just a name and shot now, so unless Frampton deals with him easy, he has very little to gain in terms of credit for the fight. Frampton comes out of it looking bad even if he struggles and wins.

Looking for the opinion of anyone who's followed his career closely? I like Carl Frampton but I'm not too sure on Nonito Donaire as a top level opponent. Donaire does have a big size advantage, massive reach advantage and those are things Frampton struggles with. Is Donaire just an old name to look good against though? styles make fights. i expect donaire to give frampton hell