MANILA, Philippines ? Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has found the heir apparent to Manny Pacquiao and he?s no other than Nonito Donaire.
?I think Donaire has a great opportunity to be a big, big superstar,? Arum told the online edition of The Ring magazine in New York recently.
Donaire is set to face unbeaten Argentine Omar Narvaez on Oct. 22 at Madison Square Garden and the 79-year-old Arum believes Donaire has all the qualities needed to reach superstardom.
?Obviously he?s younger than Manny [Pacquiao,] so he can capture the huge Philippines audience that?s all over the world,? said Arum, who doesn?t see Pacquiao still fighting beyond 2015.
Donaire, 28, is four years younger than Pacquiao and is widely regarded as one of the world?s top three fi ghters today.
Arum said there are plenty of opportunities out there for Donaire, who has won world titles at flyweight (112 lbs) and bantamweight (118 lbs).
Assuming Donaire hurdles Narvaez, Arum said Donaire will go up to super-bantamweight (122 lbs) and will likely go up to lightweight (130 lbs).
On the horizon for Donaire, accoridng to Arum are Mexican toughie Jorge Arce and Cubans Guillermo Rigondeaux and Yuriorkis Gamboa. (Nick Giongco)
