By Steve Kim
Nonito Donaire captured the vacant WBO 122-pound title this past Friday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico as he got past the game Cesar Juarez in what ended up becoming one of the better bouts of 2015. An interested observer was undefeated Jessie Magdaleno, who is now the highest ranked contender in the WBO.
"I would love a crack at Donaire next, "stated Magdaleno, who's record now stands at 22-0(16 KO's).
"I've been waiting for awhle and now that he has a WBO title, I want it even more."
Magdaleno says of the 'Filipino Flash' - "He's a great fighter, I feel like he did what he did in boxing already and he put on a great show Friday night but I feel like his time is done and it's time for the new generation to make their mark in the history books and in boxing and feel like that fighter who can do that."
Frank Espinoza, who manages Magdaleno, told BoxingScene.com on Wednesday morning,"Bob Arum and I spoke about the fight on Saturday night in Tuscon during the fights and we both like the idea of it. I think Jessie is more than ready to step up at this point."
Both Donaire and Magdaleno are promoted by Top Rank. Arum says he is more than willing to make the fight but with this caveat.
"We have to have a clear understanding and a program that (Jessie) is going to be able to make the 122 because his last three or four fights he's been way over the limit and we can't tolerate that," Arum said.
Magdaleno last fought on October 17th where he came in at 127.5 in stopping Vergel Nebron in one round.
"So I talked briefly with Frank when I was in Tuscon about that question,"continued Arum."I'm not going ahead with that fight unless I have complete assurances plus a plan, a nutritionist, that he's going to make the fight."
But the veteran promoter likes the idea of this match-up.
"I like the fight because it's a fight that resonates in Las Vegas, both of the guys live in Vegas,"he pointed out.
As for when Magdaleno fights again the 24-year old southpaw explained,"It's in the works, right now. We're seeing how everything is going to turn out with Donaire and his cut. If it's going to take awhile, which I'm sure it will, then I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a tune-up in February."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
