Donaire could be next Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is Top Rank chairman Bob Arum’s choice as the country’s next boxing icon and exposing the Filipino Flash to the New York audience will be the first step towards creating a pay-per-view market value for the General Santos City fighter.

Donaire, 28, was originally set to take on unbeaten Argentinian Omar Narvaez at the Home Depot Center in Carson City, near Los Angeles, on Oct. 22 but Arum switched the site to the WaMu Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City.

“We know Nonito enjoys a big following in the California area, particularly among the Filipino fans,” said Arum. “So we thought it would be the right time to introduce him to the big New York market. It’s the first step to make Nonito big in the boxing world. The arena has a capacity of about 6,000. It’s in the Madison Square Garden complex so Nonito will be fighting before a New York crowd.”

Narvaez, 36, is the WBO superflyweight titlist with a 35-0-2 record, including 19 KOs. Donaire’s record is 26-1, with 18 KOs. He has won his last four by knockout, including a crushing second round disposal of Fernando Montiel early this year. 

 “The sky’s the limit for Nonito,” said Arum. “He’s only 28 and the way he looks, he can go on fighting at a high level until his mid-30s. The fight against Narvaez is his last at bantamweight. He’ll move up to 122 and onwards to 126. Nonito is like Manny (Pacquiao) in many ways. Both have the ability to carry their power to higher weight divisions.”

Arum said in Donaire’s new contract with Top Rank, he’ll figure in at least three fights a year. It could even extend to four depending on the degree of difficulty or ease in Donaire’s bouts.

“There’s no problem finding a suitable opponent for Nonito,” said Arum. “I’m looking at seven or eight opponents down the road and every one of them is a potential big money fight for Nonito. I’m talking about guys like Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Arce, Juan Manuel Lopez, Guillermo Rigondeaux and of course, the winner of the Rafael Marquez-Toshiaki Nishioka bout for the WBC superbantamweight title.”

Arum said Donaire reminds him of the legendary Nicaraguan fighter Alexis Arguello. “Just like Arguello, Nonito has phenomenal power for a guy his size,” he went on. “Just recall how he knocked out Montiel or even (Vic) Darchinyan for his first world title. Nonito is a boxer and a puncher. He can beat you in so many ways just like Arguello used to.”

Arum revealed that ABS-CBN has plans of staging a Donaire fight in Manila, perhaps to inaugurate the brand-new Mall of Asia arena in May next year.

“I’ve spoken with ABS-CBN and they’re interested in a Donaire fight in Manila and I think it’ll be the second Thrilla In Manila,” said Arum. “I was involved in the first Thrilla with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier and it would be a major event to put up a second Thrilla over 35 years later.”

Arum said matching Donaire with either Gamboa or Rigondeaux would be a blockbuster. Both Gamboa and Rigondeaux are Cubans who are proficient technicians with skill and power. Another big name to consider is Arce, a Mexican who has made mincemeat of his Filipino opponents like Joven Presbiterio, Joma Gamboa and Juanito Rubillar.

Arum said Filipino prospect Mercito Gesta, who recently signed with Top Rank, is a future title hopeful. “Gesta has a lot of potential but I don’t think he’s ready for a world title shot at the moment,” said Arum. “He’s getting there, though. We want to keep him busy. He’s training with a good team in San Diego and there’s a lot of upside in Gesta.” Last Saturday, Gesta was scheduled to battle Honolulu-born Manuel Perez in Arizona. He’s booked for another assignment on Nov. 11, the eye of Pacquiao’s third encounter with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.