Although far from matching countryman Manny Pacquiao?s impressive championship run through eight weight classes, Philippines native Nonito Donaire plans another division jump to expand his own title collection.
Donaire said his title fight against Argentina?s Omar Narvaez on Saturday night in New York will be his last as a bantamweight. Even with a successful defense of his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight belts, Donaire, 28, said his next bout will be in the 122-pound, junior-featherweight division.
?This will definitely be my last fight at 118 [pounds],? Donaire said in a conference call last week. ?Making 118 is difficult ? the last two fights it was easy, but with my workout routine I have increased my muscle mass.
?As you know, muscle is more difficult to shed than fat or water. We want to be healthy and be at our best, so 122 we are looking forward to.?
Not only did Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) easily make weight for his previous two fights, but he convincingly disposed of Volodymyr Sydorenko and Fernando Montiel. In fact, Donaire?s second-round knockout of Montiel on Feb. 19 elevated him in pound-for-pound consideration.
?You can be called the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and not have that talent,? said Robert Garcia, Donaire?s trainer. ?Few fighters have it, but Nonito is one of them.?
Donaire, who previously held a world flyweight title, knows the knockout victory over Montiel enhanced his profile but recognizes that a slip against the veteran Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) could derail his ambitious plans in the higher weight classes.
