MANILA, Philippines – A super bantamweight contender from Hungary has reportedly agreed to challenge WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
A Philboxing.com report by veteran scribe Ronnie Nathanielsz quoted Donaire’s manager, Cameron Dunkin, as saying that they are now moving to finalize the bout between Donaire and Hungarian Zsolt Bedak.
“I talked to the guy [Bedak] and we’ll get the contracts out but they have agreed to take the fight. We are gonna go forward,” Dunkin told Nathanielsz.
Bedak is ranked No. 4 by the WBO and has a record of 25-1, with eight knockouts. In 2010, he challenged Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. for the WBO super bantamweight crown but lost via technical knockout in the 10th round.
Incidentally, Donaire outpointed Vaszquez in 2012 for the same world title, which happened to be vacant at that time.
Bedak’s selection as Donaire’s next opponent reportedly came after former featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich declined to take on the Filipino-American due to problems dropping down in weight.
Donaire is scheduled to defend the WBO super bantamweight belt on April 23 at the Araneta Coliseum, as previously confirmed by Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum.
He regained the championship through a hard-earned unanimous decision victory over a tough Cesar Juarez in Puerto Rico in December last year. – Dino Maragay