Never better.
This sums up the feeling of Filipino icon Nonito Donaire, 38, as far as his health and boxing career are concerned.
But with the race against time, Donaire has doubled his effort to become healthier by going to the gym more to keep his condition intact. On top of that, it all boils down to taking care of yourself and your mental health.
"Most of all mental health," Donaire told the PBC Podcast when asked about his improved lifestyle. "I think the biggest thing when you get older is experience but then without that mental health and mental tenacity, you succumb to time, you succumb to the complacency of doing it for quite some time."
Donaire, who holds a 40-6 record on top of 26 knockouts, considers self-development, health development, and self-help development to be instrumental in his boxing career.
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This is the reason why despite the age difference with his previous opponents, namely unified IBF and super WBA bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, Stephon Young, and Ryan Burnett, the Filipino four-division world boxing champion is able to put up a good fight.
And the fact that he's still capable of being competitive puts a huge smile on Donaire's face.
"I actually feel really good because of the mental state I'm in now," added Donaire. "It allowed me to be very, very excited and allowed me to grow as a different fighter. And you guys are gonna wonder, 'Is this guy 20-year-old, what's going on?'
READ: Donaire banks on power over Oubaali's technicality
Donaire is on a mission to capture his third bantamweight title against current WBC champion Nordine Oubaali at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).
Oubaali, 34, for his part, will also shoot for his third bantamweight title defense since capturing the vacant belt over American Rau'shee Warren in January 2019.
Both Donaire and Oubaali last saw action in November 2019 at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan as the Filipino boxer yielded to Naoya while the Frenchman of Moroccan descent beat the younger Inoue, Takuma.