Donaire getting ready to fight

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. is not sitting around as he waits word on his next fight, possibly against Mexican Cesar Juarez in December.

“I’ve been training hard. I can make weight any day now,” he told The STAR a few days ago in Carson, California.

The multi-division champion has fought twice this year, beating William Prado of Brazil last March and Anthony Settoul of France last July.

Donaire, who lost his WBA featherweight crown to Nicolas Walters of Jamaica in October last year, needed only four rounds and less than four minutes to win his last two fights.

The 2012 Fighter of the Year is determined to regain his glory days.

“I’m taking this seriously whether there’s a contract or none. I train every day. Any kind of day,” he said during a break in Pinoy Pride 33: Philippines vs the World.

“Right now they say it’s December 11 in Puerto Rico but nothing’s on paper yet. We’re just getting ready whatever it is,” he said.

Juarez is ranked No. 1 by the WBO and Donaire No. 2.

“We’ll fight for the interim title,” he said.

Nonito Sr. was also in Carson watching the action featuring Donnie Nietes and the other ALA fighters, Albert and Jason Pagara and Mark Magsayo and Bay Area’s Bruno Escalante.

He said he’s impressed with his son’s approach this time.

“Nonito is very motivated. It’s a different kind of motivation that I see in him. He said he will fight any champion thrown at him,” said the father.

“I see him as he was when he was starting out in boxing. He’s a changed man. He goes out running and we do the mitts each day,” he added.