DONAIRE TO FIGHT VAZQUEZ JR FOR WBO SUPER BANTAM TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 20 Nov 2011
Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire will fight former champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr for the WBO super bantamweight title relinquished by Mexican warrior Jorge ?Travieso? Arce sometime in February next year.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum confirmed the title fight in a text message to the Manila Standard.
Donaire who was married in a spectacular church wedding to his wife Rachel last November 11 is coming off a lopsided, shutout defense of his WBC/WBO bantamweight title against undefeated two-division champion Omar Narvaez of Argentina at The Theater in Madison Square Garden last October 22.
Although Donaire tried his best, the smaller Narvaez who moved up in weight to take the fight refused to engage, making for a disappointing fight although HBO commentator and former pound for pound king Roy Jones Jr praised Donaire for his skill and style and blamed Narvaez for refusing to trade shots with Donaire.
Donaire, obviously having problems making the 118 pound limit announced that he was moving up to 122 pounds and Arum who had planned a fight against Arce and Japanese champion Toshiaki Nishioka next year said he had picked Vazquez since Arce was moving down to fight Indonesia?s Angy Angkota for the WBO bantamweight title vacated by Donaire..
The 27 year old Vazquez Jr won the vacant 122 pound title with a 4th round knockout of former WBO super flyweight champion ?Marvelous? Marvin Sonsona on February 27, 2010 in Puerto Rico but lost the crown to Arce in a sensational 12th round TKO on May 7 this year.
The 29 year old Donaire who the WBC/WBO bantamweight title with a spectacular 2nd round TKO of Mexican veteran Fernando Montiel with a cracking left hook that is regarded as probably the knockout of the year.
Arum had earlier planned to stage two fights for Donaire within the first six months of 2012 with Arce and Nishioka as opponents and booking a June 7 date for a possible title fight against either opponent at the spanking, new Mall of Asia coliseum which is still under construction.
Donaire and Vazquez are both skilled and exciting fighters and the title clash should draw a huge following although there is no indication as yet where it will be held.
Donaire is currently in the top 5 of the Ring Magazine pound for pound rankings behind countryman Manny Pacquiao with Floyd Mayweather Jr at No. 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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