Nonito Donaire may return March 8 in Macau

MANILA, Philippines – Former pound for pound entrant Nonito Donaire Jr. could return to action on March 6 in Macau at The Venetian Resort. 

Donaire, who will be rounding from his sixth-round knockout loss to Nicholas Waters in October, will be moving back to the junior featherweight division, manager Cameron Dunkin confirmed in a conversation with reporter Steve Kim.

Donaire had previously unified three title belts at 122 pounds, earning the 2012 BWAA Fighter of the Year award before losing to Guillermo Rigondeaux the following year.

(RELATED: Nonito Donaire must pick up the pieces)

The March 6 show will be headlined by two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming in his first world title opportunity against IBF flyweight titleholder Amnat Ruenroeng. 

“We talked about it, that’s probably the best place for it,” said Dunkin.”We don’t want to fight any killers.”

The 32-year-old Donaire (33-3, 21 knockouts) of San Leandro, Calif. by way of Talibon, Bohol, Philippines had won world titles at flyweight, bantamweight and junior featherweight before stepping up to featherweight to win the WBA featherweight belt earlier this year. His loss to Walters was his first stoppage defeat. – Rappler.com