BIGGER, richer fights await rising Filipino American boxing star Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire when he moves to super bantamweight in search for his fourth world title, possibly as early as February.
The 28-year-old Donaire said after his shutout win over Argentine Omar Narvaez Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) that he wants to stay active next year and fight four to five fights at the 122-pound weight limit against the best opponents available.
Donaire?s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said he hopes to get Donaire in the ring with Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 by knockouts), the World Boxing Council super bantam titlist, in February or March.
Arum said another option is to pit Donaire against Mexican World Boxing Organization champ Jorge Arce, who has signified his readiness to defend his WBO title against the Pinoy fighter.
Still another major plan Arum has for Donaire is a big title fight in Manila to be held at the sprawling sports arena Chinese Filipino retail mogul Henry Sy Sr. is building at the Manila Bay reclamation area near the existing Mall of Asia.
Nishioka, a hard-punching and skillful fighter about the size the Donaire, has successfully defended his WBC title six times since winning the vacant title against Mexican Genaro Garcia via 12th round technical knockout on January 23, 2009 in Yokohama, Japan.
Four of those six title defenses ended inside the distance, reflecting Nishioka?s impressive combination of boxing skills and power.
Arum said veteran Mexican knockout artist Arce (58-6-2, 45 by KOs) is a good match for Donaire because of his aggressive fighting style, not to mention the kind of exciting rivalry championship fights between Mexicans and Filipinos generate.
