by Chris LaBate
According to Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) is likely going to defend his titles against undefeated WBO super flyweight champion Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) - in New York City. The HBO televised fight is going to take place on October 22nd.
Top Rank had originally planned to stage the card in Carson, California at the Home Depot Center, but a conflict with an already scheduled Golden Boy event was the reason for moving Donaire's fight. Golden Boy complained to AEG, the company behind the venue, that Donaire's fight was too close to their pay-per-view featuring Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson, which takes place on October 15th at Staples Center.
"Looks like he’s going to October 22nd, Madison Square Garden, New York, yeah the big time. Against Narvaez, the undefeated Argentine," said Arum to ABS-CBS News.
The fight is not going to take place in MSG's main arena, but likely the smaller WaMu Theater.