Donaire undergoes cryo training ahead reported fight against Oubaali


Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire is set to return in the ring this summer when he faces undefeated Nordine Oubaali in the WBC bantamweight crown. (Top Rank Images)

Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire, who was all smiles and beaming with excitement, dared to run topless while the snow heavily showered in the US.

Training in Arizona, Donaire, 38, shared the clips Sunday, Feb. 14, on social media ahead of his reported fight against Nordine Oubaali of France in summer.

How's the cold weather? It was 1.6°C, probably enough for one to catch a cold even with winter clothes on.

"Cryo training in natural environment. Stay tuned!" wrote Donaire, accompanied with the hashtags #donaireoubaali and #mindovermatter.

A source told boxingscene.com that preparations for the Donaire-Oubaali bout are ongoing after the latter's Paris clash against Nawaphon Kaikanha in March was scrapped.

Oubaali and Kaikanha were set to meet in France but the French television broadcaster involved in the fight pulled out this week.

Organizers also felt that Kaikanha's chances to fly out of Thailand were in limbo due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions, the source added, paving the way for the Donaire-Oubaali to push through.

Donaire and Oubaali were initially scheduled to fight last December 19 but was also postponed after the undefeated Frenchman contracted COVID-19.

In mid-November, the WBC named Oubaali  "champion in recess" and gave Donaire a chance against former bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez for the vacant title in the December clash. But Donaire also tested positive for COVID-19 prior to the match, with compatriot Reymart Gaballo stepping up for another short-notice replacement.

Gaballo eventually scored a stunning split decision win against the Puerto Rican boxer to bag the interim WBC bantamweight title.

Fast forward to January 2021, the WBC reinstated the 34-year-old Oubaali as its bantamweight world champion with the boxing sanctioning body allowing him to make a voluntary title defense, which was the one planned for March against Kaikanha.

After a rollercoaster of events, it's the time to shine for Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs) and Ouballi  (17-0, 12 KOs).

Donaire has not fought since a unanimous decision loss against Japanese champion Naoya Inoue last December 2019 while Ouballi last saw action in November the same year with a unanimous decision win over Takuma Inoue.