DONAIRE THE NEXT BIG NAME IN PHILIPPINE BOXING
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Feb 2010
While they all agree that “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao is in a class of his own, three prominent boxing figures believe that WBA Interim super flyweight champion and former IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is the next big name in Philippine boxing.
American trainer Rick Stehely who steered Pacquiao to his first world title – the WBC flyweight championship which Pacquiao won by a stunning eighth round knockout over Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul in December 1998, believes Donaire can follow Pacquiao’s footsteps and win “maybe five or six world titles” in different weight divisions.
Stehely had predicted before Pacquiao won the flyweight title that he would keep growing and win four world titles but he noted he won seven and maybe can win an eighth.
The trainer was totally impressed with Donaire telling us “I think he is absolutely sensational. This guy’s got skills beyond skills. I mean he’s really, really good.”
While admitting he didn’t know much about Donaire’s opponent Gerson Guerrero, Stehely said “I can’t see anybody in the world at that weight class beating Donaire.”
Internationally respected referee Bruce McTavish described Donaire as “a class act and another man like Z “The Dream” Gorres who is a real gentleman in and out of the ring.” He said “when you think he (Donaire) has reached his potential, he keeps getting better and I don’t know what the limit is going to be with him.”
Donaire battles Mexico’s hard-hitting Gerson Guerrero in the main event on the “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury 13” fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 14 (Manila Time) which will be telecast in the Philippines by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.
McTavish said he is really impressed with Donaire’s new trainer, former world champion Robert Garcia and added “Freddie Roach better watch out.” McTavish said he had refereed two fights where Garcia was in the corner and “his instructions are the best I’ve ever heard a cornerman give.”
The international referee said Guerrero who tends to leave himself open “will find out what a left hook is” but noted that Mexicans are durable and Donaire “can’t take him (Guerrero) for granted. He has to pace himself and the punch will come.”
McTavish said Donaire is “not the next big thing in Philippine boxing. He is right now because we know Manny (Pacquiao) is in a field of his own, so we have to look for someone else and Donaire is the one right now. Besides, he’s only going to get better.”
Australian “Promoter of the Year” Peter Maniatis said Donaire is among the top six or seven fighters in his pound-for-pound list of current fighters in the world. Maniatis said “he is a superstar and I think he can move up in weight and win world titles like Manny Pacquiao. I think Donaire can win four world titles. I don’t think there is anybody who can beat him right up to featherweight.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026