The 43-year-old former four-weight world champion wants to face one-time WBO bantamweight champion Jason Moloney in Australia later this year.

"We're gunning for Jason Moloney in Australia underneath Michael Zerafa and Chris Eubank Jr., so that's gonna be a very, very big fight," Donaire told The Ring. "I think they're looking at September, they're just finalizing everything.

"I'm going to be helping Zerafa before as a trainer. I'll most likely be in his corner for that fight as well as fighting underneath."

Donaire and Moloney had been linked with fighting back in 2023 after Naoya Inoue vacated his Ring and undisputed bantamweight titles. The two were in line to contest the vacant WBC title, before Moloney elected to go the WBO route.

Ultimately, Moloney claimed the WBO strap with a 12-round majority decision against Vincent Astrolabio, while Donaire was outhustled by Mexico's Alexandro Santiago over 12 rounds. It's a situation Donaire has not forgotten.

"There's nothing else he has an excuse for, we were slated to fight once and they moved to go into a different direction," said Donaire. "But this time, I'm coming into his hometown, his country and there is no more excuses, it has to happen."

It would have come as no surprise had Donaire, who has been a professional since February 2001, decided to retire but he says that was never on the agenda.

"This is where my excitement comes from because I love boxing. I love to fight, being in that ring," he said.

"People always say, 'Why are you still fighting?' Because I love this, I know it's still safe for me, still competitive, still good at this, I love it and it's what I'm going to be doing for as long as I can. I'm still gunning for anybody out there."

Rather than be deterred after being stopped by Masuda, he's doubled down in his belief.

"It was more realization that I have to trust myself more than anyone else," he said.

"I've done this numerous times, for decades and I know what I'm capable of. Trusting my corner and [his wife, trainer] Rachel. There is no doubt. I didn't get hurt, no headache, nothing like that, I got cut here and there. I don't see any quit in me, I'm going to do this for as long my body can give."

It's no longer about winning world titles; it's a deep desire to keep challenging himself with the belief that he's a better person because of boxing.

"It's not so much the belts, I've done them all already but I'm going to gun for the best out there," he said.

"Being inside that ring, there is pure joy in myself, training, I'm good to my kids and my wife, when I'm in the gym, my mind is great and I look forward and I'm happier. It says everything about me as a human being when I'm in that ring because I am very disciplined when I have something to look forward to, rather than not.

"The worst part of me is when I'm complacent about life and that's something I don't want. I want to be challenged, to get better, stronger, improve my mind, body and spirit."