Donaire plans to invade heavier class

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire will not stay long in the super-flyweight class and yesterday said he sees himself fighting up to the featherweight class in the years to come.

Donaire gave up his IBF/IBO flyweight (112 lb) crowns and took the WBA Interim super-flyweight (115 lb) class with a big win over Rafael Concepcion last week at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The 26-year-old Filipino graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue. He came with his wife, Rachel, and talked about his immediate plans on the ring.

“My promoter, Bob Arum, told me that Dec. 12 is the date of my next fight. And we’re looking at Jorge Arce,” said Donaire, who gave up a lot in size when he fought Concepcion in his debut as a super-flyweight.

Concepcion failed to make the 115 weight limit, and tipped the scales on the eve of the fight at 119 1/2. The Panamanian climbed the ring the following day at 134 lb while Donaire, from 115, came to the fight at 122 lb.

“I want one more fight at 115 before I climb to 118,” said Donaire, adding that if the fight against Arce, the Mexican warrior, does not push through then they will try WBA super-flyweight champ Nobuo Nashiro of Japan.

Nashiro, 13-1-0 with eight knockouts, has never fought outside of Japan, but had already indicated that if it’s against Donaire then he’d be willing to fight in the United States.

Asked how far he can go, Donaire said he thinks he can handle himself well as a featherweight (126 lb) or as a super-featherweight (130 lb) the way Manny Pacquiao did it.

Pacquiao has won six world titles in different divisions from the flyweight, super-bantamweight, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight and most recently, the light-welterweight (140 lbs) class.

Pacquiao shoots for a record seventh crown when he faces Miguel Cotto for the Puerto Rican’s WBO welterweight (147 lb) title on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

“Right now my ideal weight is 118. I’m getting bigger, my muscles are getting bigger, so fighting at 115 pounds won’t be that easy for me. At 118, there’s no need for me to reduce in weight,” said Donaire.

Donaire said Concepcion was practically three divisions higher when he showed up for the fight at 134 lb against the Filipino’s 122 lb.

“A 12-pound difference for smaller fighters like us is almost like a 30-pound difference for the bigger ones. And I think I handled him pretty well. You just don’t mix it up with a heavier guy so that explains why I failed to knock him out,” said Donaire.

Donaire hurt his hand during the fight, but a recent bone scan suggested that he can go back to training after a few weeks. Right now he said he wants to enjoy his time with his family.