Donaires in reunion for Super Series?

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a possibility that the father-and-son team of Nonito Donaire, Sr. and Jr. may get together again for the World Boxing Super Series where eight of the world’s top bantamweights will compete in a knockout format to determine the undisputed champion and the winner of a $10 Million grand prize.

Donaire, Jr. is now in Moscow to attend the draw, bracketing and scheduling of the Super Series on July 22 while Donaire, Sr. was recently recruited by Manny Pacquiao to join his training team for the Lucas Matthysse fight in Kuala Lumpur. Donaire, Sr. lives in San Leandro, a San Francisco suburb, and has been estranged for years from his son whom he used to train.

Donaire, Sr. said he has recently been exchanging text messages with his son and wife Rachel. Donaire, Jr. and his wife were concerned that Donaire, Sr. was bumped off from a spot in Pacquiao’s corner for the Matthysse fight.  “You did your job, Papang,” said Donaire, Jr. in a social media post. “Hopefully, the corner runs smoothly even if they changed you out last minute. If the change was for Manny’s benefit to help him win, I’m all for it. But if it was for personal gain, resentment and jealousy, y’all should be ashamed of yourselves. The corner is there for the fighter. Not out there for themselves individually.”

Regarding Donaire, Jr.’s drop from featherweight to bantamweight, his father said it’s no cause for alarm. “He can do it,” said the father. “It will take a lot of hard work, sacrifice and discipline. If Jun is training four days a week now, he’ll have to go five days a week at least. His advantage is experience. Also, he’ll be bigger than any of the bantamweights. I think he has a good chance of winning it all.”

Donaire, Sr. said if things work out, it will be a reunion to bring his son back on the throne. “Jun has speed, power and footwork,” he said. “Lately, I’ve noticed that he’s been impatient in looking for a one-punch knockout that he forgets to throw combinations. Jun and I have worked together well before. We have chemistry. We know each other’s body language. We respect and listen to each other.  Our common goal is to prepare Jun to win. If Jun and Rachel want me back, I’m willing to sit down and talk it over with them.”

Donaire, Jr., 35, is the oldest and most experienced fighter among seven initially named for the Super Series. The others are WBO champion Zolani Tete, 30, of South Africa, WBA “super” champion Ryan Burnett, 26, of Northern Ireland, IBF ruler Emmanuel Rodriguez, 25, of Puerto Rico, WBA “regular” titlist Naoya Inoue, 25, of Japan, unbeaten Jason Moloney, 27, of Australia and Juan Carlos Payano, 34, of the Dominican Republic. Donaire was at his most devastating form when as a bantamweight, he knocked out Fernando Montiel and Volodomyr Sydorenko but that was over eight years ago.