By Carlos Boogs
Nonito Donaire is not exactly fired up by the idea of fighting undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Oscar Valdez on a date in March.
As BoxingScene.com previously reported, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum - who promotes both Donaire and Valdez - is looking to stage a March bout between the two boxers,
Donaire, 34-years-old, lost a twelve round unanimous decision - and his WBO 122-pound title - to Jessie Magdaleno last November at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Donaire would rather secure a rematch with Magdaleno. He wants to set the record straight after stating that Magdaleno did not deserve the victory.
Arum told The Manila Times that Donaire (37-4, 24 KOs) can get that rematch - if he beats Valdez (21-0, 9 KOs).
Donaire was briefly competing at the featherweight limit. He captured the WBA world title and then lost it, by knockout, at the hands of Nicholas Walters. After being overpowered by Walters, Donaire dropped back to 122.
Donaire is not looking to make the same mistake twice. He wants properly build his body to a featherweight frame, and then maybe face Valdez in the fall.
"I have heard about Valdez being offered as my next fight mid March at 126. While I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by Top Rank and humbled they would give me the chance to fight for another title shot, I also believe I would be redoing the same mistake I did when I initially moved up to 126 in 2014. 126 at first to me was a reason not to have to cut weight. But what I soon learned the hard way was most of the 126 fighters walk near 140 fight night. I have been walking around 132/133 most days and I'm not even in camp," Donaire stated.
"Knowing my mistake before and acknowledging I wasn't a solid muscle 126, I believe it's in my best interest to take a tune up 126 fight in May, because March is only 2 months away and too soon to gradually build the correct muscle weight - and if comfortable with the muscle weight, fight Valdez in the fall. And once I fight and gain muscle properly at 126, I'm not going to come back to 122 to fight anybody. If that is not possible, 122 is still comfortable for me to make and I'm positive Top Rank has an array of options for me to fight if Magdaleno so chooses not to give me the rematch for whatever his reason."
"I have to remember coming all the way from 112, I have built more muscle to move up in weight. My body from 112 was small and as I moved up I built a more muscular frame. But huge thanks to my team, manager, family, and fans who were honest with me telling me I need to build my body correctly. The fighter in me would take the fight even at 130. And when I think crazy thoughts like that, it's a blessing to know I have those in my corner to tell me how to do my weight gain properly this time."
