Darchinyan may have to wait as Donaire weighs option

Vic Darchinyan may have to wait for his long-sought rematch with the “Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire, Jr. Annoyed by the continuous tirades being thrown at him by the loudmouth from Armenia, Donaire expressed his intention not to give Darchinyan a return bout, and instead look for another title option, including a showdown with World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel. “I may not fight him [Darchinyan] because there’s Montiel and his showing was great," said Donaire minutes after scoring a third-round knockout of Mexican Manuel Vargas in the main bout of the boxing card “Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13" at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Saturday.

Montiel certainly, was great in his first round demolition of Filipino Ciso Morales as he retained his 118-pound belt in the undercard of the same promotion put up by Top Rank. But a fight with Montiel may have to take a while for Donaire as the Mexican is likely to meet Eric Morel of Puerto Rico first. Morel earned a shot at Montiel’s crown when he scored a split decision over veteran Gerry Peñalosa in a title eliminator match that may be the last fight for the 37-year-old Filipino warrior. Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) also expressed his intention to move up again in weight after admitting he’s beginning to outgrow the super-flyweight division. Door still open to 'Darchi' But at the same time, he’s not also closing a possible meeting with Darchinyan since, “he [Darchinyan] wants a rematch, and I want his belts." Darchinyan is now the World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight champion following a devastating second-round knockout of Tomas Rojas last December. Now based in Australia, the Armenian suffered his first career loss at the hands of Donaire in a stunning fifth-round technical knockout in Connecticut three years ago. The win allowed Donaire to wrest the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title in a match later voted as the 2007 Upset of the Year. During the same “Pinoy Power" boxing card, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao urged the throng of Filipinos in the crowd to donate whatever amount they can to his foundation, the proceeds of which will be used to finance the recovery of Z “The Dream" Gorres. The injured boxer finally left Las Vegas for the Philippines Sunday together with wife Datches after spending more than two months in the U.S. to recover and rehabilitate from brain surgery. Gorres collapsed inside the ring moments after a 10-round unanimous decision over Colombian Luis Melendez. He underwent surgery to relieve the swelling on his brain owing to a blood clot. - GMANews.TV