Donaire to reinvent self vs Brazilian foe

MANILA, Philippines – For Nonito Donaire Jr., his comeback fight against Brazil’s William Prado is a chance to find out whether he still got what it takes to compete at the elite level.

Donaire tries to bounce back from a devastating knockout loss the last time around, taking on the little-known Prado at the Pinoy Pride 30 boxing card Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

At the final presser at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City, the Filipino-American fighter said he will try to reinvent himself against the Brazilian.

“I'm just thankful for the opportunity to see if Nonito Donaire still has it... Do I still have it?” he said.

“For the last two years, people have thought I've lost it. But I'll reinvent myself for this fight,” added the former five-division champion.

Donaire will attempt to erase the stigma of a knockout setback to a bigger Nicholas Walters last year, saying the ordeal made him realize his limitations.

“It [Walters loss] was more of realizing, admitting that I'm just a human person... Featherweight too big for me,” he said.

“I’m just thankful that I was able to stand again [after that loss]. But I was never haunted by it,” continued Donaire, who went down in the third and sixth rounds against Walters in their clash in Carson, California last year.  

Against Prado, Donaire is sliding back to junior featherweight (122 pounds), a division in which he’s had great success. On Saturday, he will try to prove that there’s still a long road ahead for him.

“We expect a tough fight [from Prado]. We’re ready,” Donaire vowed.