Nonito Donaire training “like never before” for trip to The Jackal’s Den

He has been there done that and wore four world titles around his waist, but the experienced Nonito Donaire [38(24)-4(1)] is training “like never before” ahead of clash with Carl Frampton.

The Filipino Flash is eager to prove that he is still an elite force at 126lbs and is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to tame ‘The Jackal’ in Belfast at the SSE Odyssey Arena on Saturday April 21st.

The 2012 The Ring, ESPN and the Boxing Writers’ Association of America 2012 Fighter of the Year seems to be aware the Belfast hero offers him final passage back to World titles and is training accordingly.

“I can’t wait for the first bell! I know I’ll have to be the best I can be on fight night. Make no mistake, I’m already training like never before,” Donaire explained this week.

The 35 year old former pound-for-pound #3 is not just promising to come prepared he predicts a performance that will leave boxing fans around the World impressed.

“I plan to put on a spectacular show for my fans, his fans and boxing fans in general. When I walk out of the ring victorious, it will have all been worth it.”

Donaire has been linked with Frampton before, however his former promotional link to Top Rank had blocked this. Now looking to make one final tilt at titles, he is coming in as the away fighter to challenge Frampton and hopefully set up an IBF title fight with the winner of Lee Selby’s mandatory defence against Josh Warrington the following month.

The star name knows the challenge that fighting 2016 Fighter of the Year Frampton [24(14)-1(0)] in Belfast brings, but doesn’t seem fazed – rather he is excited by the prospect.

“This is exactly the type of fight I live for — going in against one of the best in the World in the lion’s den of his hometown of Belfast.”