FILIPINO world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. wants to get rid of his upcoming challenger first before thinking about his future.
In an overseas interview with Sports Radio, Donaire said he is not taking his title challenger lightly as their 12-round world flyweight title fight nears.
?I know he wants my belt badly. This fight is equally important for me. If it?s God?s will that I win this fight so be it,? said Donaire.
The 25-year-old Donaire will stake his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt against Luis Maldonado of Mexico Sunday morning (Manila time) at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.
Maldonado, 29, is no easy prey as he has scored a draw with current World Boxing Council (WBC) super-flyweight champion Christian Mijares of Mexico. He has compiled a record of 37-1-1 with 28 KOs.
Donaire yesterday said he weighed 113 lbs or just a pound over the flyweight limit.
?I know my body and making the weight won?t be a problem. I just watch my diet,? said Donaire.
Since arriving in the US last weekend, Donaire started to taper off by running every morning and doing the mitts with father and trainer Nonito Sr. Donaire trained for more than a month at the famed ALA Boxing Gym in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Donaire?s first title defense will be shown not only on Philippine TV via GMA 7 and Solar Sports but will also be beamed on closed circuit TV inside the Araneta Coliseum, site of the first-rate ?Payback? boxing.
Donaire (18-1, 11 knockouts) won the crown with a spectacular one-punch knockout in the fifth round against Armenia-born Australian Vic Darchinyan in May 7, also in Connecticut.
If he gets past Maldonado, Donaire wants to challenge anyone among the other flyweight champions.
The other belt holders whom Donaire is targeting are WBC ruler Daisuke Naito of Japan, World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Tekefumi Sakata, who is also a Japanese, or World Boxing Organization (WBO) kingpin Omar Narvaez of Argentina.
?I leave it all to my manager but I want to fight the best. That?s what the fans want,? said Donaire.
The official weigh-in will be held tomorrow.
