By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD flyweight champion Nonito Donaire said yesterday he was deeply honored by the Philippine Sportswriters Association award he will receive on Feb. 20.

Donaire, who returns to Manila from his training camp in Baguio City in the next couple of days, said he will fly to Cebu with World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa, who winds down training for his Feb. 21 tune-up fight against Mexico?s German Merza at the Cebu Coliseum.

?It?s an honor to be recognized alongside Manny Pacquiao and all other greats in sports,? said Donaire, speaking about the major award for professional boxing to be bestowed on him at the PSA Annual Awards? Night at the Alegria Lounge.

It will be the second time Donaire will be honored by the PSA.

Donaire (20-1, 13 KOs) said his training in Baguio with the Pe?alosa brothers, Gerry, former world champion Dodie Boy and one-time prospect Jonathan, has been very good.

?My stamina and everything else is excellent and in fact I am ahead of schedule,? said Donaire, referring to his March 22 title defense against undefeated Mexican Raul Martinez (24-0, 14 KOs) at the Araneta Coliseum.

Donaire has been sparring at his high-altitude (5,100 feet) training camp, with Marvin Tampus and Rodolfo Sumabong. He said he will receive a tape of Martinez?s fights sometime this week, but recalled that he had beaten him as an amateur in the national championships of the United States years ago.