Filipino-American Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. undoubtedly has what it takes to become the next Manny Pacquiao in the near future.

According to Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines national head coach Roel Velasco, the 30-year-old Donaire has speed and power similar to Pacquiao’s style inside the ring.

He said in Tagalog: “I think Donaire will follow Congressman Pacquiao’s victorious footsteps. But of course we can’t be sure what his fate will be. He does need to be focused on his goal and he also need to be doubly careful in all his fights.” Velasco won a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

Velasco, however, admitted achieving an unprecedented eight world titles in different weight classes is a tough task. But he said that is not an impossible for Donaire, considering his great performance these last few years.

 “Every boxer must have what Cong. Pacquiao exhibited: Industry, patience, devotion, discpline, determination, self-confidence and faith in God,” Velasco added.

The 5-foot-5 Donaire holds an impressive 30 wins including 19 knockouts against one loss (30-1, no draws). His lone defeat, via unanimous decision, was in 2001 in Vallejo, California, in a fight against American Rosendo Sanchez.

Since then, Donaire gradually weaved his way into the mainstream.

He won his first title fight in 2002 by knocking out Kaichon Sor Vorapin of Thailand for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific Super Flyweight title.

Donaire also got six major world titles. They are International Boxing Federation Flyweight and
Super Bantamweight, World Boxing Association Super Flyweight (interim), WBO Bantamweight, World Boxing Council (WBC) Bantamweight, and WBO Super Bantamweight crowns.

Donaire scored a devastating ninth-round demolition of Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan in his last fight in October at the Home Depot Center in Carson California to retain the WBO Super Bantamweight title and the vacant The Ring/WBC Diamond Super Bantamweight belt.

He also beat Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa via unanimous decision in July and Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. of Puerto Rico via split decision in February.

Other titles held by Donaire are International Boxing Organization Flyweight, North American Boxing Federation Super Flyweight, WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight, and WBC Diamond Super Bantamweight.

As an amateur, Donaire earned National Silver Gloves in 1998, National Junior Olympics and National USA Tournament titles then won the 1999 International Junior Olympics gold medal.

Last Sunday, the world witnessed how Pacquiao absorbed a stunning sixth-round knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nonetheless, Donaire was all praises for Pacquiao.

“Nobody can take away what he has accomplished. He’s a champion, and that’s what he’s about; and that’s why he will always smile, because he has done what no other man has done.

There’s no shame in trying. He gave us a show no matter what the outcome was and we enjoyed it. It was exciting; people were jumping out of their seats,” Donaire told boxing writer Dennis Guillermo in an interview posted at Examiner.com.

“Just have faith and enjoy life no matter how it is. He’s done so much for everybody already, now it’s time he took care of himself and including everything that he has. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. He’s always going to be that legend everybody grew to love,” Donaire added.

Donire is scheduled to defend his WBO and The Ring Super Bantamweight title against Mexican Jorge Arce on Sunday at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas.