Donaire aims for undercard spot in Pacquiao November bout

A boxing match that features ring superstar Manny Pacquiao in the main event and Nonito Donaire Jr. as one of the undercard bouts is sure to be a blockbuster event among Filipino fight fans. After all, both are explosive boxers that started their careers at the flyweight division (112 lbs) and are under Bob Arum's boxing stable at Top Rank Promotions. Donaire idolizes Pacquiao and wants to take the same path of the Filipino boxing icon by winning titles in different weight divisions. The boxer known as the "Filipino Flash" and considered as the hottest prospect next to Pacquiao said it has been his dream to fight as an undercard in Pacman's next match. Donaire, whose next fight is scheduled in November, is hoping that Arum will include him in Pacquiao's November 13 gig against Antonio Margarito of Mexico. "It would be an honor for me. I have been requesting Top Rank to put me in a Pacquiao undercard. We'll see what will happen," said Donaire when asked during Tuesday afternoon's welcome lunch by GMA’s top executives at the GMA Network Center. GMA 7 chairman, president and CEO Felipe L. Gozon led the top network executives that welcomed Donaire and wife Rachel.

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Donaire believes Filipino boxing fans would be treated to a great fight with him and Pacquiao packaged in one event. "It would be a big event and I’m waiting to be a part of it." The two-time world division title holder, who defended his International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight belts, said he hopes to fight as a bantamweight (118 lbs) or super bantamweight (122 lbs) in his next fight. "I'm planning to keep moving forward. I want to challenge the best fighters in a higher weight division," said Donaire, who is fresh from an eight-round technical knockout of Mexican southpaw Hernan Marquez on July 10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 27-year-old Bohol native is also challenging either WBC bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel of Mexico, WBO bantamweight king Eric Morel of Puerto Rico or WBO super bantamweight title holder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. Montiel knocked out Rafael Concepcion to successfully defend his WBC bantamweight crown on July 17. Concepcion was the same boxer that Donaire defeated to claim the WBA world super flyweight title last year. Morel and Vazquez both defeated Filipino boxers making a possible meeting with Donaire sort of a grudge match. Morel defeated Gerry Peñalosa on February 13 while Vazquez dealt Marvin Sonsona his first loss via a fourth-round knockout on February 27. – Jon Perez, GMANews.TV