Nonito Donaire scored a big knockout victory over Hernan Marquez last night in Puerto Rico on Showtime. Read on for more on about what Top Rank Promotions has in store for ?The Filipino Flash? in his next bout!
Nonito Donaire stopped Hernan Marquez in the eighth round last night in Puerto Rico to stake his claim to the interim WBA world super flyweight title. It was a spectacular stoppage for the big punching ?Filipino Flash?, and his seventh KO victory in his last eight wins. While Donaire is widely considered one of the best fighters in boxing?s lower weight classes and is regarded by many as a top pound-for-pound fighter in all of boxing, marquee fights have avoided him in the last few years.
A long sought after rematch with Vic Darchinyan (who Donaire handed his first pro loss via KO of the year in 2007) has fallen through in the negotiating stage several times. While that has been frustrating for Donaire and boxing fans alike, the prospect of an equally exciting fight was bantered about last night at Top Rank?s post fight presser in Puerto Rico. It was rumored that Donaire may face highly regarded WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico this November.
Top Rank boss Bob Arum (who was on hand in Puerto Rico this weekend to watch his charge Juan Manuel Lopez) made mention of a possible Donaire vs. Montiel clash during post fight activities.
The news was welcomed by Donaire who has been clamoring for a marquee fight for quite some time.
?The best things from last night were my eighth round TKO win, Bob Arum confirming (a potential) Montiel fight in November, and I got congratulated personally by (Philippines) President Aquino on a phone call.? Donaire told his fans this morning via his social networking outlets.
More serious discussions about the potential mega fight will no doubt intensify should Montiel get past Rafael Concepcion as is expected next week in Chiapas, Mexico.
Fernando Montiel is a big punching highly skilled star in the lower weight classes who moved up to 118 pound in 2008 after a string of impressive victories at super flyweight. The crafty Mexican scored a stunning first round stoppage of previously unbeaten Filipino prospect Ciso Morales earlier this year to capture the WBO bantamweight title, and followed that up by impressively lifting the WBC 118 pound belt from Japan?s Hozumi Hasegawa in April.
A Donaire vs. Montiel bout would pit two of Top Rank?s highly regarded champions against one another and with both fighters sharing the same promotional outfit it stands to reason the bout should be fairly easy to get signed.
Stay tuned to FightFan.com for more in the coming weeks.
