A JAPANESE could be up next for Nonito Donaire Jr., who has announced his intention to move up in weight class.
Donaire, who won the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight belt recently, said Nobuo Nashiro, the WBA super-flyweight champion, could be his next possible opponent if Jorge Arce would not agree to a December 12 duel.
The 26-year-old Donaire (22-1, 14 knockouts) said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has talked with the Japanese’ camp and that they expressed interest to have their ward fight outside Japan for the first time in his career.
“Kung hindi makuha si Arce, they are looking at the Japanese champion. Sabi nila [camp of Nashiro], willing silang lumaban sa [United] States,” said Donaire in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s United Nations Avenue.
Donaire said the December 12 fight will be his last in the super-flyweight or 115-lb division. He said he intends to fight in the 118-lb division (bantamweight). He wrested the WBA 118-lb belt via a 12-round decision over Rafael Concepcion in his first fight in that division.
“I’ll be comfortable at 118,” said Donaire, also called “The Filipino Flash.”
“He [Concepcion] was 134 during the fight, I was at 122 so that was really the deciding factor why the fight ended via decision.”
The 27-year-old Nashiro, who owns a record of 13-1 with eight knockouts, is scheduled to defend his WBA belt against Hugo Fidel Cazares in Osaka, Japan.
Arce (52-5-1, 40 KOs), on the other hand, will be facing Simphiwe Nongqayi of South Africa for the vacant International Boxing Federation super-flyweight title on September 15 in Mexico.
Donaire expressed interest in fighting Arce.
“Gusto kong makalaban si Arce sa 115 before pumunta sa 118. Magaling at may pangalan si Arce. It will be a big fight for me. If it happens, I’ll be very happy with it,” said Donaire.
Donaire also said he is not inclined on replacing Dodie Boy Pe?alosa as his trainer for his December 12 fight.
“I’m very happy with my trainer. Maganda ang relationship ko with the Pe?alosa brothers. We are like family,” said Donaire, who was joined by his wife Rachel, a taekwondo blackbelt, in the forum sponsored by Accel, the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp., Shakey’s and Outlast Battery.
He also shrugged off the possibility of a rematch with Vic Darchinyan.
“Ilang years na niyang sinasabi na lalaban siya. He has a rematch clause with me pero until now, hindi pa rin kami naglalaban. Madaldal lang talaga siya. Game na game ako sa laban na ’yun. Kung gusto niya ng laban, don’t talk to me. Talk to my promoter. I’m ready to fight him kahit saan,” said Donaire.
