by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The father/trainer of five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who returns to his new gym in Oakland, says undefeated flyweight Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar who has been training at his gym, went to the gym of Virgil Hunter and sparred with Abner Mares.

Donaire told Viva Sports that from reports he received, Saludar did very well against the former world champion.

Mares is the former IBF bantamweight, WBC super  bantamweight and WBC featherweight champion.

Saludar is scheduled to fight Puerto Rico’s former Olympian McWilliams Arroyo on June 19 in Bayamon,  Puerto Rico in a title eliminator.

Saludar who has a record of 19-0-1 with 12 knockouts showed good condition and a stinging jab during his twelve round sparring sessions at the gym of manager Dr. Rajan Yraola prior to his departure for the US.

Trainer Jun Agrabio told us Saludar who is ranked No. 11 by the IBF. No. 3 by the WBO and No. 7 by the WBC battles Arroyo  who has a record of 14-1 with 12 knockouts and is ranked No. 11 by the IBF has “the best chance to win and fight for the world title next” against the winner of the title clash between champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand and Kauto Ioka of Japan.

Agrabio who is now in New York for the rematch between “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr at Madison Square Garden tomorrow will return to Donaire’s gym and leave for Puerto Rico with Saludar.

Donaire told us he has no idea of what’s next for his son Nonito who is at present enjoying a family vacation in Boracay.

“Dodong” Donaire is credited for the hard-work he put in getting Nonito into good shape for his title winning effort against Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa and did an excellent job breaking down the fights of Vetyeka in his winning efforts against Indonesians Daud Yordan and Chris John from whom Vetyeka won the title late last year.

The father/trainer prepared Nonito for whatever Vetyeka came with and pushed him to move in and out, throw combinations and even during the fight shouted at his son to box Vetyeka and not get into a slugfest.

It was the one-two combination – the right and then the devastating left hook that “Dodong” worked on while training in Manila that was the turning point in Nonito’s fight against Vetyeka when he hurt him in round three and dropped him midway in round four. As strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson pointed out, father and son “make a great team.”