Philippines, 29 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Donaire in Extended Wait, May Need Interim Fight


PhilBoxing.com




While fellow Filipino bantamweights Johnriel Casimero, Reymart Gaballo and Michael Dasmariñas have their respective title fights somehow already in the works, Nonito Donaire stands the prospect of a long wait for his own as WBC titlist Nordine Oubaali reportedly chose a Thai for a possible March defense in Paris.

Donaire, the WBC mandatory challenger, was set to meet Oubaali in April 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic forced its rescheduling in December.

But the French titleholder tested positive of the Covid-19 virus making him unfit for the fight, supposedly his third title defense. Oubaali was designated as champion in recess for his failure to make the scheduled defense. It was supposedly his first fight since December 2019 when he defended against Takuma Inoue in the undercard of the main event in Japan where Donaire also last saw action in a losing fight versus Naoya Inoue.

The WBC thereafter ordered Donaire and former IBF titlist Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez to fight for the WBC interim title but Donaire himself was tested positive of the same virus although subsequent later test proved otherwise. Rodriguez went on to face late substitute Filipino Reymart Gaballo for the interim title with Gaballo prevailing via disputed split decision.

Rodriguez and his camp bitterly protested the decision and the WBC ordered a rematch between Rodriguez and Gaballo giving the two parties a deadline within which to negotiate or it will hold a purse bidding itself if no agreement is reached.

Meanwhile, Oubaali upon reportedly recovering from Covid-19 was reinstated by WBC as its regular champion and given the option for an interim fight prior to a mandatory defense versus Donaire. It was recently announced that Oubaali will make his third title defense against Thailand's Nawaphon Kankhaika in March 3 in Paris, condition permitting and the Thai securing entry to the French capital in time for the fight.

In the wake of this development, Donaire stands the prospect of a prolonged wait and ring absence unless he can secure an interim fight himself which he badly needs to shake off the rust of extended inactivity.

If not, Nonito will have to be content with watching and cheering for his fellow Pinoy bantam aces as they battle equally formidable foes in the coming months.

Indeed, we never have so many Pinoy fighters campaigning at top level as now in the bantamweight class. The 118 lbs class before was a traditional waterloo division for our fighters until Luisito Espinosa broke the jinx in 1988 followed in the 2000s by Gerry Peñalosa and Nonito Donaire himself, now on his second tour of duty.

Casimero who was passed over by Bob Arum and Naoya Inoue in a supposed committed unification bout last year, is set to make the second defense of his WBO title against Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux possibly this April in the US.

Meanwhile, Dasmariñas is set for his mandatory challenge of Inoue for the Japanese IBF regular championship in Japan. It is not yet clear if Inoue will also put on the line the WBA bantamweight super belt he won from Donaire in December 2019 in Saitama.

As earlier stated, Gaballo will be meeting Rodriguez in a rematch for the WBC interim bantamweight title in a date and venue yet to be agreed upon by the two parties.

Of course, it would be preferable if Donaire could be included in the undercards of any of these fights, against a decent opponent that would serve as his tune up.

Perhaps, Manny Pacquiao through his MP Promotions headed by Sean Gibbons could pull some strings to have Nonito and another Filipino top bantamweight prospect Mike Plania be included in the Casimero fight versus Rigondeaux.

For as things stand now, Nonito may have to wait for at least the middle of the year at the earliest for his mandatory challenge of Oubaali.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Wild, Wild Western Conference
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.