Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Donaire to move up in weight
INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is aware of the intricacies of the business side of the sport and being a champion, he makes it a point to always be ready for possible big fights, even literally.
After disposing his mandatory challenger Moruti Mthalane last weekend via a 6th round TKO, Donaire is now looking at the opportunity of moving up not only to the next division available but also beyond that.
Interviewed by Philippine sports website SportsNews.ph Monday morning, Donaire said he has positioned himself for a shot not only at any of the two champions in the super flyweight divisions but also at the champions in the equally tough bantamweight territory.
"I can still make 112 but my goal is to become undisputed champion. The Japanese they just don't want to fight so I guess it's time for me to move up," Donaire said.
Daisuke Naito holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight crown while Takefumi Sakata rules as World Boxing Association (WBA) 112 champion.
In declaring his readiness to move up in weight, it is natural that people would like to see the stylish Donaire lock horns once again with one-time foe Vic Darchinyan.
The same day Donaire stopped Mthalane at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Darchinyan added the World Boxing Council (WBC) and WBA superflyweight belts to his IBF tiara as he shocked highly-favored Mexican Cristian Mijares with a brutal 9th round knockout held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The win made Darchinyan the first-ever unified champion by virtue of his three world title belts. Mexican Fernando Montiel holds the World Boxing Organization (WBO) 115 lbs. crown and is considered by many as a legitimate champion owing to the tough line-up of challengers he vanquished.
Donaire captured boxing stardom when he ko’ed Darchinyan with a single punch in the 5th round of their IBF title fight July of last year in Connecticut. To date, the loss to Donaire remains the only dent in Darchinyan's terrifying 31-1-1, 25 KO record.
"It's always a possibility but I really don't know if that will happen because the promoters don't get along. But if people try hard enough it's a possibility. For me I don't have problems facing him again because I know how to beat him," Donaire said.
Darchinyan belongs to Gary Shaw Productions, the same outfit that promoted Donaire until the Filipino became world champion. After one title defense, Donaire's manager Cameron Dunkin felt it was time to jump ship and join Top Rank's Bob Arum.
"It was not my decision and I don't think Gary and Top Rank, they don't get along. But I have no problems with Gary. I am actually thanking him for the opportunity that I have, you know, winning the title and now I'm here because of the fact that he gave me that title shot," Donaire said.
