MANILA, Philippines – WBA interim superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is slated to face a still unnamed opponent in the undercard of WBA lightmiddleweight titlist Yuri Foreman?s defense against challenger Miguel Cotto at Yankee Stadium in New York on June 5 and if plans fall into place, will battle Vic Darchinyan in a much-awaited rematch on Aug. 21 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Nothing is set in stone, however, but Donaire?s father-in-law Gerry Marcial, who is in town for a brief visit to attend a relative?s wedding, said it?s more than likely the return bout with Darchinyan will push through because the fight is a promoter?s dream.
Donaire knocked out Darchinyan, an Armenian migrant to Australia, with a single left hook to the jaw in the fifth round to wrest the IBF flyweight crown in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in July 2007. Darchinyan, who holds the WBC and WBA 115-pound titles, has vowed to avenge the loss.
Donaire said he?s been ready to face Darchinyan again the last three years but it?s the trash-talking Armenian transplant who appears to be delaying the negotiations. Darchinyan?s camp demanded a $200,000 purse from Top Rank which promotes Donaire and it?s an amount that?s clearly unaffordable for a superflyweight bout.
Now that Darchinyan is 34 and running out of options, talk of a rematch has been revived.
?There?s a slight hitch,? said Marcial whose daughter Rachel is married to Donaire. ?We hear that Darchinyan is signing up for a tune-up like Nonito and it will be against an African. Remember that Darchinyan?s last loss was to Joseph Agbeko, an African. If Darchinyan loses, then there?s no point in a rematch. The same thing goes for Nonito who has to win in his own tune-up.?
It?s been difficult to find a willing opponent for Donaire who is ranked among the world?s top 10 pound-for-pound fighters even without a ?senior? or ?regular? crown. He?s asked Top Rank to arrange fights against WBO superflyweight champion Jorge Arce and WBO bantamweight king Fernando Montiel but both Mexicans are avoiding him like a plague.
Donaire resumed training at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, near San Francisco, two weeks ago with the arrival of trainer Jonathan Pe?alosa from Manila. Pe?alosa flew in with brother Dodie Boy Sr., and nephew Dodie Boy Jr. Donaire is renting a three-bedroom apartment for the Pe?alosas and Hawaii-based Filipino fighter Bruno Escalante close to the Hillsdale Mall in San Mateo, a stone?s throw away from San Carlos.
No tune-up opponent has been named for Donaire but Top Rank is scheduling the fight at Yankee Stadium. If plans don?t miscarry, Donaire will take on Darchinyan in the main event of a big card that Top Rank is assembling for Aug. 21 at the Staples Center.
Donaire said he wants Darchinyan?s two belts to legitimize his claim to superflyweight supremacy then will challenge Arce for a unification showdown before the year ends. The problem is Arce is moving up in weight. He scaled 119 pounds for his fight against Cecilio Santos last night and is booked to meet Eric Morel for the interim WBO bantamweight crown in San Antonio on June 26. Arce will probably relinquish the WBO superflyweight belt, a speculation that is fueled by a reluctance to battle Donaire.
Marcial said after the June tune-up, Donaire will fly to Manila with wife Rachel for a week then report back to the Undisputed Gym to prepare for the Darchinyan rematch in August.
?Nonito will go back to Manila after his fight in June to pledge his support for the newly elected Philippine president and fulfill his obligations with Mikaela, a group that specializes in non-invasive procedures to make bodies beautiful,? said Marcial. ?Right now, he?s back in training and his sparmates include Dodie Boy Jr. and another Filipino, Glenn Gonzales.?
Donaire recently announced that Dodie Boy Jr. has signed a promotional contract with Las Vegas-based TKO Boxing whose head is Chet Koerner. TKO Boxing is behind the ?Hometown Heroes to World Champions? national boxing series and lists over 30 fighters in its stable, including heavyweight Lenroy Thomas, cruiserweight Andres Taylor, middleweight Peter Manfredo, Jr., welterweight Demetrius Hopkins, lightweight Fidel Maldonado, featherweight Maxwell Awaku, superbantamweight Rafael Valenzuela, bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz and flyweight Rayonta Whitfield.
Dodie Boy Jr., 20, is set to make his US debut on May 8. He is lined up for fights in June and July to keep him busy. Last January, Dodie Boy Jr. made an auspicious pro debut by knocking out Anthony Balubar in the second round.
?It?s my first time to come to the US and I appreciate TKO for giving me this opportunity,? said Dodie Boy Jr. ?My grandfather (Carl) was a Filipino champion, my dad (Dodie Boy Sr.) was a two-division world champion, my uncle (Gerry) was also a two-division world champion. Now it?s my turn. I will do my best to make everyone proud.?
Dodie Boy Jr. racked up an amateur record of 27-0, with 10 KOs, before turning pro.
?We?re very proud to welcome Dodie Boy to the TKO boxing team,? said Koerner. ?He?s got excellent boxing skills, comes from a great lineage of world champions in his family and we look forward to working with him towards his goal of becoming a world champion.?
