After seeing Nonito Donaire’s one-sided unanimous decision win over Argentina’s two-division world champ and Olympic hero, Omar Narvaez, one can’t help but think about the 28-year-old’s bigger picture and possible destiny as the heir apparent to major names like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather
Despite a less than exciting contest against a Narvaez who refused to engage in anything resembling offense, Donaire sure seems to be the right fighter at the right time to assume the position as boxing’s “next big thing.”
Other than being one of the sport’s most gifted athletes, the Filipino-American star has the matchmaking genius of Bob Arum behind him and plenty of legacy-defining, quality opposition ahead of him.
If Donaire decides to stay a bit longer in the bantamweight division, fights with Anselmo Moreno and the winner of the upcoming Abner Mares-Joseph Agbeko contest would not only be quality bouts, but would go a long way in justifying his pound-for-pound status. A Vic Darchinyan rematch could also be entertaining as a stay-busy fight.
Up in the junior featherweight division, Mexican brawler and WBO champ, Jorge Arce and Puerto Rican former titlist, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. would be noteworthy bouts that are both winnable and highly marketable. The best match-up at 122 lbs., though, would likely be against 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The real paydays and legacy-definers would come one division higher, among the featherweights. Quality fighters crowd the 126 lb. class and several would not only provide attention-grabbing contests, but could very well establish the difference between a Donaire regarded as a world class star or a Donaire who is listed among the legendary names of the sport. Cuban Olympic Gold Medalist, Yuriorkis Gamboa would be the obvious opponent and that showdown already has hardcore fans salivating at the idea. Also in the division, though, are fighters like Juan Manuel Lopez, Orlando Salido, Chris John, Jhonny Gonzalez, and Celestino Caballero.
Given Donaire’s physical frame and bone structure, a move up to super featherweight could also be in the cards. While there aren’t many recognizable names in the 130 lb. division, the lure of capturing a world title in a sixth weigh class would likely be too much to resist for the talented pugilist. Assuming, of course, that he can capture titles at junior featherweight and featherweight, another world title at super featherweight would put the finishing touches on a sure-fire Hall of Fame career.
At this point, all of this is little more than conjecture, but the road to superstar status sure seems paved and ready to be traveled. Barring injury or a complete and total self-destruction, Nonito Donaire is set to move into the rarefied air previously reserved only for guys named Pacquiao or Mayweather.
Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
