Gradovich interesadong labanan si Donaire

MANILA, Philippines – Interesado si dating Russian world featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich na hamunin si world super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr.

Pero hindi pa siya handang makatapat agad-agad ang dating Filipino world four-division titlist sa mas mababang weight division.

“I am very interested in this fight with Donaire,” wika ni Gradovich.

“But at the same time it would be too hasty to hold it without even trying out the new weight. So I need some time to get down to the 122 pound division and settle there.”

Gusto sana ni Grado­vich na harapin muna si Jesus Galicia sa Enero 9 sa Spain, ngunit hindi na ito itutuloy ng Top Rank Promotions.

Sina Donaire (36-3-0, 23 KOs) at Gradovich (20-1-1, 9 KOs) ay parehong nasa Top Rank ni Bob Arum.

Muling nakamit ni Donaire ang World Boxing Organization super bantamweight crown matapos talunin si Mexican fighter Cesar Juarezvia unanimous decision noong Disyembre 12 sa San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Maliban kina Grado­vich at Juarez (17-4-0, 13 KOs), ikinukunsidera rin para labanan ni Donaire sina mandatory challenger Me-xican-American fighter Jessie Magdaleno (22-0-0, 16 KOs) at dating WBO titlist at Cuban two-time Olympic gold meda­list Guillermo Rigondeaux (16-0-0, 10 KOs).

Si Gradovich ay na-ging sparmate ni Donaire sa kanilang title fight ni Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. noong 2012.

Napasakamay ni Gradovich ang International Boxing Federation featherweight title mula sa kanyang twelve round split decision kay Billy Dib ng Australia noong Marso 1, 2013.