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Magazine

Nonito Donaire eyes move back to bantamweight

Nonito Donaire, the ‘Filipino Flash’, considers what next after battling loss to Carl Frampton

John Dennen

27th May, 2018

Nonito Donaire eyes move back to bantamweight
Action Images/Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

NONITO DONAIRE became a firm fan favourite as he conducted himself with dignity throughout fight week and fought Carl Frampton gallantly at the SSE Arena in Belfast in April.

“Nonito and Carl had lunch the next day. They get on very well. Carl had offered Nonito to be on the card for his next fight,” Donaire’s promoter Richard Schaefer toldBoxing News. “One thing that seems to be very clear, he doesn’t really belong at 126lbs, he just doesn’t have the power to hurt at 126lbs, like he does at 122 and particularly 118. We actually are discussing for Nonito potentially going back down to 118 and maybe give it another run there and see where it goes.”

Donaire though hasn’t boxed at bantamweight since 2011. “One of my guys Nordine Oubaali with Ringstar France and he will be fighting for the WBC 118lbs world title against the Thai challenger [Tassana Sanpattan], most likely on Tony Yoka’s next card, June 23 in France,” Schaefer continued.

Nonito Donaire

“So hopefully Oubaali wins and I could maybe see Donaire challenging Oubali for a WBC title at 118 in France. That’s one idea.”

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