MANILA, Philippines - Bukod kay Manny Pacquiao, pinipilit rin ni Bob Arum ng Top Rank Promotions na maihanap ng malaking laban si interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr.
Sinabi kahapon ni Arum na may posibilidad na maitakda niya ang paghahamon ni Donaire kay World Boxing Organization (WBO) at World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel.
Nakausap na ng 78-anyos na promoter ang co-manager ni Montiel na si Fernando Beltran ng Zanfer Promotions.
Itinutulak ni Beltran ang paghaharap nina Montiel at WBC super flyweight king Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan, inagawan ni Donaire ng International Boxing Federation (IBF) at International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight belts via fifth-round TKO noong Hulyo ng 2007.
“Donaire will definitely fight Montiel by the end of the year,” ani Arum. “He may get a fight in with Darchinyan I talked to Fernando (Beltran) last night and Montiel would like that fight.”
Sakaling maplantsa ang Donaire-Montiel showdown, sinabi ni Arum na gagawin niya ito sa Pilipinas.
“I think that Donaire and Montiel, when that fight happens, could do a record gate in the Philippines,” sabi ni Arum sa nasabing paghahamon ng 27-anyos na si Donaire sa 31-anyos na si Montiel, tumalo na kina Filipino challengers Z “The Dream” Gorres at Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales.
Ibinabandera ni Donaire ang kanyang 25-0-1 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 15 KOs, samantalang taglay naman ni Montiel ang 41-2-2 (31 KOs) card.