Donaire wants PHL fight

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire Jr. is planning to hold his next fight in the Philippines, a sports website reported over the weekend.

ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael learned of Donaire’s plans through promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc.

“He wants to fight in the Philippines,” Arum said.

Donaire is eyeing to bounce back from a sixth-round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters last October 18. He reportedly wants to do it on Philippine soil.

“We’re going to see if we can book him in a fight in March,” Arum added.

Donaire last fought in the Philippines in April 2009 when he destroyed Raul Martinez in four rounds to retain the IBF flyweight title. The San Leandro, California-based boxer has since seen action overseas, mostly in the US.

In the same ESPN.com report, Rafael said Arum will meet with ABS-CBN executives in Macau this week – where Manny Pacquiao is set to fight Chris Algieri Sunday – to discuss the TV coverage for Donaire’s bout.

Donaire (33-3, with 21 knockouts), according to Arum, is looking to slide back to super bantamweight.