It’s official: Donaire fights Walters Oct. 18

MANILA, Philippines – WBA “super” world featherweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. faces a tough test against fellow champion Nicholas Walters of Jamaica on Oct. 18.

Top Rank Inc. made the official announcement over the weekend, saying Donaire and Walters – who holds the “regular” version of the WBA title – will face off at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael reported that Donaire-Walters will be part of a double-header that will also feature explosive middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin taking on Marco Antonio Rubio.

Donaire had been craving for a title unification bout in his next assignment, and he’s ecstatic to get his wish by fighting Walters.

"I am very excited for this fight. We are doing everything we can to be ready for everything Walters brings on Oct. 18," Donaire said.

The Filipino-American annexed the WBA super world featherweight championship via a fifth round technical decision win over Simpiwe Vetyeka last May 31 in Macau. In the undercard, Walters impressed with a fifth-round knockout of former Donaire foe Vic Darchinyan to retain his title

The undefeated Walters (24-0, with 20 knockouts), who hails from Montego Bay, Jamaica, decked Darchinyan twice each in the second and fifth rounds to en route to the dominant victory.

The heavy-handed Jamaican sees the Donaire showdown as the perfect opportunity to shine.

“This is my dream fight. It's now the time to show everyone who is the best 126-pound world champion in the entire world,” he said.