HOUSTON – Nonito Donaire Jr. is not looking ahead of Jorge Arce but gladly said a victory over the seasoned Mexican fighter will only open bigger doors for him next year.
“It’s just the beginning, hopefully. Just keep on winning, that’s the main thing,” Donaire said two days before he puts his WBO super-bantamweight title on the line.
Donaire’s promoter, Bob Arum, said the 30-year-old Filipino is getting at least $1 million for Saturday’s year-ending title fight at the Toyota Center here.
“This is his biggest purse. It’s seven digits,” said Arum of Donaire, who is in his fourth fight of the year, making him a strong candidate for the Fighter of the Year honors.
Donaire is happy he’s now getting all the breaks when a couple of years ago he was begging for a fight. In 2008, as the IBF flyweight champion, he only fought once.
He said the opportunity is here and he wants to make full use of it.
“It’s better now because then I was small and there wasn’t much network buying the smaller division. But when I went to 122, they want me to fight more on their network,” he said.
For his bout against Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka last October, Donaire received around $800,000.
“The more I reach a higher level in weight, the more that they’ll put me in their network,” added Donaire at the main lobby of the Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston.
Donaire went out shopping with his wife, Rachel, on a chilly Thursday afternoon. He had the time and of course the money to spend because he trains here at night.
“If I train in the morning sometimes I already feel sleepy heading to the fight. So, this time I’ve been training at night. It’s better for my body clock,” he said.
The official weigh-in is scheduled Friday afternoon at the PlazAmericas Mall here.
At the time of the interview, Donaire said he was three pounds over the 122 lb limit but he easily goes two pounds under after each training session.
Donaire said he wants to climb the ring at 127 or 128 lb, and expects Arce, three years older than him at 33, to come in heavier at around 132 to 135 lb.
“He’s big,” said the Filipino.
If things fall into place, Donaire said they’re looking at March for his next fight.
“I was told of March. But it depends on the HBO date. Top Rank wants on an HBO date. It’s been all HBO for me this year so they’re waiting for Bob to give me more fights next year.
“I’m just waiting for their decision. I’m open to do three next year but if I could do four I would. I want to do more than two. I want to be as busy as I can and maximize everything,” he said.
Donaire, who has held titles in the flyweight, super-flyweight and bantamweight divisions, is now ranked No. 6 in The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list.
Things are looking rosy for Donaire – unless Arce stands in the way.