Nonito Donaire

During a promotion of the Yuriorkis Gamboa vs Daniel Ponce de Leon fight scheduled for September 10 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Arum talked about Gamboa's future fights.

Mentioning such talk about super fights as Lopez-Gamboa and even the speculated Donaire-Gamboa, Arum had this to say according to Boxing Scene:

"As far as I’m concerned, big, big fights for Gamboa down the road are the winner of Juan Manuel Lopez and Salido. I would hope to make that fight by early next year. And then, probably the biggest fight in the featherweight division would be with the up and coming bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire, who will be coming up to featherweight next year and that would be a big, big match."

While "Juanma" Lopez (30-1, 27 knockouts) has been a longtime Puerto Rican rival to Cuba's pride and joy Gamboa (20-0, 16 knockouts), this is the first Arum has officially stated of a potential matchup between Gamboa and Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 knockouts).

Though Donaire is currently a bantamweight (118 lbs) and Gamboa is a featherweight (126 lbs), Arum seems confident Donaire can make the weight some time next year.

Arum also seems to hope he can cash in on the Lopez-Gamboa rivalry that started when both fighters were undefeated and has fizzled a bit since this past April when Lopez was knocked out by Orlando Salido (35-11-2, 23 knockouts).

A rematch between Salido and Lopez is in the works for early next year.

Meanwhile Gamboa must win his fight with the dangerous Ponce de Leon (41-3, 34 knockouts) and Donaire must win his October 22 fight against undefeated Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 knockouts) to keep the hype for a superfight alive.

In a recent interview with Nonito Donaire (26-1-0) by The Philippine Star, Donaire gave his prediction on the third upcoming bout between Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2) and Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1) on November 12, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

Donaire has become one of the most respected boxers of our time, as he has displayed an incomparable speed and accuracy in his fights. His recent destruction of a well prized Fernando Montiel (46-3-2) shot Donaire’s stock through the roof. 

Nonito Donaire picked Pacquiao to beat Marquez via a knockout: “It’ll be an exciting fight. Marquez is slower now. He’s even chunkier. But he won’t fight Manny like (Sugar Shane) Mosley. Marquez will go out there trying to take out Manny. That’s why it’ll be a lot more exciting than Manny’s fight against Mosley. Manny won’t have a problem finding Marquez. It’ll be over in five to eight rounds.” 

I agree with Donaire that it will be a more exciting fight than the Mosley one, since the Mosley fight was lacking action all throughout the bout. What I don’t share with Donaire, is the proposal that Pacquiao will end the fight in the middle rounds.

I think that if Pacquiao is truly that much faster and stronger than Marquez, and they end up trading early on, Pacquiao should be able to dispose of Marquez in the first few rounds. If, on the other hand, the fight gets past the first half, I can see Pacquiao having to work real hard and take some brutal punishment from Marquez in order to squeeze out a decision.

Marquez can last, and his output along with accuracy stays fairly constant.    

What do you think? Do you agree with Donaire? 

In the controversial aftermath of Showtime's bantamweight tourney finals between Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko for the IBF bantamweight world title, WBC and WBO bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) has issued a challenge to the winner and criticism to the referee.

According to Phil Boxing, Donaire called referee Russel Mora a "horrible referee" after he awarded a knockdown to Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs) in Round 11 for landing a low blow on Agbeko (28-2, 22 KOs) that caused the former champ to take a knee in pain.

The referee also failed to deduct any points from Mares for his repeated low blows throughout the night. Even Al Bernstein, legendary commentator for Showtime fights, was appalled as he called it, "the most disgraceful performance of a referee that I have seen in the past 15 years."

According to Ring Magazine, Donaire doesn't have an opponent lined up for his October 22 fight date at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California which is set to air live on HBO.

Donaire had this to say about a possible unification match with Mares, “if they want to make it happen I’m always ready to fight him. I don’t mind whoever they put in front of me. If they want to get Mares, I don’t mind.”

When questioned about Mares' habit of landing low blows, Donaire replied, "I don’t think he can because he won’t be able to catch me.”

As much as a fight with Donaire might be of interest, Agbeko and his promoter Don King have even heavier interests in a rematch after feeling their championship was stolen by bad refereeing.

Allan Hopper of Don King productions said the following to Ring Magazine, “I talked to Don after the fight and he said ‘I love Keith Kizer, I love the Commission, but they need to make this right.’ There will be protests filed everywhere that protests can be filed.”

Kizer is the executive director of the NSAC (Nevada State Athletics Commission) and if King is going to him with his complaints, then Agbeko's team is serious about getting a rematch. Donaire might have to wait until early next year to land a unification match.

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Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO), the 28-year-old bantamweight (118 lbs) titlist, has re-signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.

After initially attempting to leave Top Rank for Golden Boy earlier in the year, Donaire has confirmed in a statement released Monday night that he's signed to a lucrative four-year deal.

According to The Ring boxing website, Donaire had this to say about the situation in the release:

"I am very happy and pleased to announce a recent reconciliation between Top Rank, and myself.

There were some details that required attention, and I feel confident now that my professional goals are being understood and respected by Top Rank. And we have likewise come to a mutual understanding and agreement as far as our common objectives in boxing and how we can work better together as a team."

Top Rank has said that they are looking at offers from both HBO and Showtime to host the next Donaire fight in October.

Top Rank President Todd duBoef was very happy to have the matter resolved. "We are thrilled to move forward with Nonito, his team and capitalize on what we have built together," he said.

Donaire last knocked out Fernando Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KO) in just under two rounds this past February.

That victory earned Donaire two of the world titles at bantamweight, If the Filipino boxer wishes to enhance his collection, the other world titlists such as Koki Kameda (25-1, 16 KO) and Joseph Agbeko (28-2-2, 22 KO) are still major opponents.

With Top Rank, Donaire could always move up to super bantamweight (122 lbs) to face the likes of Mexican legend Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 44 KO).

Arce became the best thing about the Pacquiao-Mosley fight card when he became the first fighter born of Mexico to with world titles in four weight classes when he pummeled WBO supclser bantamweight world champion at the time, Wilfredo Gomez Jr (19-1-1, 16 KO) into submission.

Arce is actually known for never losing to a Filipino, despite facing many throughout the years. Perhaps Donaire could be the first Filipino to beat Arce, snatching his own world title in a fourth weight class.

The boxing world can now rejoice knowing its other Filipino hero (besides Manny Pacquiao) is fighting once again this October.

WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire has confirmed his return to Top Rank Promotions after being sidelined following his legal bout with his promoters.

Donaire's wife, Rachel, who acts as his manager, told Examiner.com they have settled their differences with Top Rank owner Bob Arum, and they are now working on Donaire's next fight.

Last February, Donaire scored a second-round knockout over highly rated Fernando Montiel of Mexico, a win that boosted his rating in the Ring's pound-for-pound ranking.

On his impending ring return, Donaire is looking at some bankable opponents in the bantamweight division. Here is a short list of Donaire's prospects.

Anselmo Moreno (31-1-1, 11 KOs)

Top of the list is WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno, who recently won over former flyweight champion Lorenzo Parra.

It may be recalled that negotiations were in progress for a Donaire vs. Moreno clash when Donaire left Top Rank and signed with Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, thinking his contract with Top Rank had lapsed.

A legal battle ensued between the promoters until a settlement was reached a few days ago as confirmed by Nonito's wife Rachel. 

Jorge Arce (57-6-2, 44 KOs)

 Mexican WBO super bantamweight champion Jorge Arce is fresh from his victory over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. last May.

Arce, who is the first Mexican boxer to become a world champion in four separate weight divisions, has 65 fights to his credit since turning pro.

Arce is the best bet for Donaire if the Filipino Flash really intends to move up to super bantamweight as he has originally planned.

Abner Mares or Joseph Agbeko

 Mexican Abner Mares and Ghanaian Joseph Agbeko are set to face each other in the ring on August 13 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The winner of this fight will become a natural opponent for Donaire.

Mares, who is only 25 years old, is undefeated in his professional career, with 22 fights to his credit. His KO average is around 60 percent.

Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO) is a former IBF bantamweight champion. Agbeko and Mares were scheduled to clash last April, but Agbeko begged off due to injury.

Eric Morel (42-2, 21KOs)

Rated in Ring's bantamweight ranking, Eric Morel could be another worthy opponent for Donaire. At 36, Morel carries a professional record of 44 outings and lost only twice.

Morel has won his last three fights, including a win over highly rated Gerry Penalosa in February 2010. His last fight was in April, against Luis Maldonado.

Fernando Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KOs)

 Former WBC bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel seems ready for a rematch with Donaire after an impressive knockout victory over Venezuelan Nehomar Cermeno last June 25.

Montiel lost his WBO/WBC bantamweight title to Donaire last February 19 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Montiel's loss to Donaire was his first TKO loss in his professional career.