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FILIPINO
world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is glad his
local fans will get to watch his next fight on local TV.
The
24-year-old Donaire left for the United States Saturday
evening after completing more than a month of training
in
Cebu.
“It’s
always nice knowing that you have your countrymen
rooting for you,” said Donaire in a recent interview
with dzSR Sports Radio 918.
Donaire
will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF)
flyweight crown against Mexican Luis Maldonado on
December 2 at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in
Connecticut.
Donaire’s first title defense will be shown not only on
Philippine TV but will also be beamed on closed circuit
TV inside the Araneta Coliseum, site of the first-rate
“Payback” boxing.
“I’m
doing this not only for myself and my family but also
for my fellow Filipino boxers. It’s great I will be
sharing the limelight with our fighters on the day I
will be defending my title,” added Donaire.
Boholano
prospect Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista battles Mexican
southpaw Antonio Meza in the Araneta Coliseum card.
Bautista’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) regional
crown will be at stake in this 12-round encounter.
In his
last fight, Bautista suffered a stunning first-round
knockout loss to WBO kingpin Daniel Ponce de Leon of
Mexico, a bout that served as the main event of the
successful Boxing World Cup on August 11 at the Arco
Arena in Sacramento, California.
The
“Payback” card will also feature ALA fighters AJ Banal
and Michael Domingo. Banal encounters his fourth
straight Mexican foe in Jovanny Soto while Domingo,
current RP bantamweight ruler, takes on Anthony Mathias
of Tanzania.
Donaire,
meanwhile, will stay for two days in San Leandro,
California, where he and his parents live before flying
to
Connecticut.
“I’m not
taking Maldonado lightly. I am aware people are talking
about fights against big-name opponents but first things
first,” said Donaire.
Donaire
is often mentioned as a possible foe for established
superstars Jorge Arce, a two-time world champion, and
World Boxing Council super-flyweight ruler Christian
Mijares.
“If the
Japanese champion doesn’t want to fight me then I will
move up in the super flyweight and challenge the
champions of that division,” said Donaire.
Donaire
holds a sterling record of 18-1 with 11 knockouts. He
crowned himself champion when he stopped brassy
Australia-based Armenian Vic Darchinyan in the 5th round
last July 7 also in
Connecticut.
Donaire,
who completed his Cebu training camp at the topnotch ALA
Boxing Gym in Mandaue, is targeting World Boxing
Association (WBA) flyweight champion Takefumi Sakata,
and WBC ruler Daisuke Naito. |
