ALA open to hosting Donaire training camp

ALA Boxing Gym’s doors are open to Filipino star Nonito Donaire Jr. if he decides to set up camp here in Cebu.

“I talked to his wife Rachel. (I) Told them Nonito is always welcome whenever he wants to train in Cebu. However, they have not finalized the plans yet,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Donaire Jr. recently told Quinito Henson that one of his options for a training camp is in Cebu, while the others are in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Tokyo.

The 35-year-old Donaire Jr. is taking on fellow former world champion Carl Frampton in a non-title featherweight bout on April 21 at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

This isn’t the first time that Donaire Jr. has set up camp at the ALA Gym. He trained there for his 2015 bouts with William Prado and Anthony Settoul.

The ALA Gym has a lot of talented boxers in or near Donaire Jr.’s weight class, who could give him quality sparring time.

“Some haven’t reported yet; it depends on the dates,” said Aldeg- uer. “( Jeo) Santisima, (Mark) Magsayo, Albert Pagara, (Virgel) Vitor, it depends who will be ready to spar.”

Magsayo, Santisima, Pagara and Vitor all saw action on the same card last Nov. 25 in Bohol and could be ready for sparring if Donaire Jr. decides to hold camp in Cebu.

Following a layoff of almost a year, Donaire Jr. returned last Sept. 23 and beat Ruben Garcia Hernandez by unanimous decision at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

After a losing to Leo Santa Cruz, the 30-year-old Frampton bounced back with a unanimous decision over Horacio Garcia.

Donaire Jr. is 38-4 with 24 knockouts, while Frampton is 24-1 with 14 knockouts. /