Donaire signs up for Super Series
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 14 Jul 2018
Former five-time world boxing champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. is chasing a new dream to become the undisputed bantamweight titleholder with his inclusion in the eight-man Super Series, a knockout tournament where the ultimate prize is a $10 Million reward.
Donaire, 35, hasn?t fought in the 118-pound division in seven years or since he outpointed Argentina?s Omar Narvaez to retain his WBC/WBO bantamweight unified championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 2011. He was in devastating form as a bantamweight in mowing down Fernando Montiel in two rounds and Volodymyr Sydorenko in four.
After losing to Carl Frampton on points for the interim WBO featherweight crown in Belfast last April, Donaire decided to drop down two weight classes to regain his optimum power. ?It?s no problem going down to 118,? said Donaire. ?I?m walking around at 128-129. When I start training, it shouldn?t be difficult to go back to bantamweight. Since the Frampton fight, the opportunity opened up to participate in the Super Series and it?s a blessing.?
In 2017, event company Comosa AG launched the World Boxing Super Series in an attempt to unify the championships in the cruiserweight and supermiddleweight divisions. Ringstar CEO Richard Shaefer, who is now Donaire?s promoter, is involved in the project with Comosa CEO Roberto Dalmiglio. Comosa will now try to unify the titles in the bantamweight and lightwelterweight classes.
Donaire will fly to Moscow on July 17 to attend the draw for the second season of the Super Series. The draw will determine the matchups, brackets and schedules of the eliminations leading to the final where the Muhammad Ali Trophy awaits the survivor. The Super Series format doesn?t allow a draw so a fourth judge is designated to break any possible tie.
?I?m excited to do this,? said Donaire. ?I?m grateful to Richard for making me a part of this Super Series. The format is simple----it?s one loss and you?re out. So you?ve got to keep winning. There?s a guaranteed purse for every fight. The top bantamweights of the world are participating so in the end, the winner will be the undisputed champion.?
So far, seven of the eight fighters in the Super Series have been named. They are Donaire, WBO ruler Zolani Tete of South Africa, WBA regular champion Naoya Inoue of Japan, IBF titleholder Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico, WBA ?super? king Ryan Burnett of Northern Ireland, Jason Moloney of Australia and Juan Carlos Payano of the Dominican Republic. Tete, 30, has a 27-3 record, with 21 KOs. Inoue, 25, is unbeaten with a 16-0 mark, including 14 KOs. Rodriguez, 25, is also undefeated with an 18-0 slate, including 12 KOs. Burnett, 26, is another unbeaten fighter with a 19-0 card, including nine KOs. Moloney, 27, is the fourth undefeated contender with a 17-0 tally, including 14 KOs. Payano, 34, has a 20-1 record, with nine KOs. Donaire is the most experienced fighter in the cast with a 38-5 mark, including 24 KOs.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024