DONAIRE READY TO FACE ANYBODY ARUM PICKS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 02 Aug 2011
WBC/WBO world bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire is ready to face anybody Top Rank promoter Bob Arum picks for a possible fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on October 1.
Donaire who was scheduled to leave for Japan with his wife Rachel today before returning to their home in San Francisco said that he "isn?t bothered" over who Top Rank picks as an opponent for his next fight saying "It doesnt matter. I'll fight anybody."
There has been some speculation that it could be a unification bout with WBA champion Anselmo Moreno who was originally considered for a May 28 fight which fizzled out.
That was because of the contractual dispute Donaire had with Top Rank and Moreno?s own managerial problems.
Donaire told the Daily Inquirer that the moment he returns to the US later this week he will ?return to the gym and start training right away.? Donaire trains at the Undisputed Gym under former world champion Robert Garcia.
Asked about a possible October fight date Donaire said that it should pose no problem because he will have eight to ten weeks ?to get into good shape.?
The classy 118 pound champion who scored a sensational 3rd round knockout to win the title from Mexican veteran Fernando ?KO-Chulito? Montiel last February 19 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino said he had ballooned to 140 pounds by eating so much since his visit to Manila to prepare for his November 11 church wedding to Rachel.
Informed about Arum?s plan to pit him against the winner of the WBC super bantamweight title fight between champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan and former champion Rafael Marquez who will headline the October 1 card, Donaire welcomed the proposal.
Arum earlier told the Inquirer that Nishioka would fight Jorge "Travieso" Arce and both fighters had agreed that the winner would fight Donaire but for some reason Arce is out and Rafael Marquez, brother of Juan Manuel Marquez has stepped in.
Ranked No.3 in the pound-for-pound rankings of the prestigious Ring Magazine behind Manny Pacquiao and S ergio Martinez, Donaire said ?that should be a good fight. It should be fun.?
Donaire has always said he wanted to fight the big names such as Montiel and Arce and may well get the chance in the December 12 showdown at Madison Square Garden headlined by the rematch between WBA light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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