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MANILA, Philippines – After suffering an excruciating defeat in October 2014, five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is expected to return to action in the second quarter of 2015.
According to a report by BoxingScene’s Steve Kim, Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum plans to stage the bout on Donaire’s home turf, but he has not named any opponent for the Filipino’s comeback assignment as of the moment.
“The Philippine network, ABS-CBN, wants him to fight in the Philippines,” the 83-year-old promoter said.
The last time Donaire (33-3, 21 konckouts) fought in the Philippines was in April 2009 when he thwarted Raul Martinez via fourth-round technical knockout in front of the thousands of Pinoy fans at the historic Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin publicly revealed that the bout would likely take place in April or May of 2015.
“I think it’ll be sometime in April of May. It won’t be right away,” Dunkin was quoted in the same report.
After a 3-fight stint at featherweight, the 32-year-old switch-hitter is considering to move back to the super bantamweight division, where 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.
Donaire found success in his first two outings as 126-pound pugilist, pulling off a come-from-behind victory over Vic Darchinyan in a November 2013 rematch before thumping Simpiwe Vetyeka by technical decision to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight strap this past May.
However, Donaire failed to make it three in a row as a featherweight when he dropped the WBA world title to Nicholas Walters in October.
Walters knocked out Donaire with a powerful overhand right to the left temple that sent “The Filipino Flash” crashing down to the canvas in the sixth round.
The potential counterparts that Donaire could face in his return to super bantamweight are Rigondeaux, Leo Santa Cruz, Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg.
Meanwhile, if Donaire decides to stay at featherweight, the names of Jhonny Gonzalez and Evgeny Gradovich are in the mix. – Rappler.com
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