By Ryan Burton
WBO/WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire is currently in the final stages of his training camp for his upcoming title defense versus Omar Narvaez that takes place on October 22nd in New York City. The fight will be televised by HBO.
Donaire said that while he is close to making weight, hitting the 118 pound limit is becoming increasingly more difficult. "We have seven more pounds to go. It is very tough to make weight. I have to cut muscle mass to get down to 118," stated Donaire.
The Filipino fighter has received some criticism for fighting in the lower weight divisions. He said that instead of getting an advantage by fighting in the lower weight divisions, that it is actually putting him at a disadvantage by cutting weight.
"They say I am trying to take advantage by going down in weight but I would rather go up in weight. They don't realize it makes you really weak to make weight. 122 is my natural weight. I think it will be my best weight."
Boxingscene recently ran a story in which trainer Freddie Roach downplayed some of Donaire's accomplishments. The world renown trainer went as far as to label the shots that knocked out Vic Darchinyan and Fernando Montiel, "lucky punches". Donaire took the criticism in stride and said that it makes him more confident in knowing that he has the right team around him.
"Freddie is a knowledgeable trainer and he has his opinion. I am happy he said that because it makes me know that I made the right decision in picking my team."
Donaire said that he isn't looking past Narvaez but that his next fight will definitely be at 122 pounds. There has been a lot of talk of him potentially facing Yuriorkis Gamboa at featherweight but Donaire said that he needs to test the waters at 122 first.
"I need to go to 122 before 126. I need to make sure I beat guys at 122 before going to 126. It is always smarter to move up gradually. I need to see if I can conquer 122 first. If I am able to take over 122 then 126 will be possible for me. I want to fight the champs at 122 so Arce and Rigodeaux are fights that I would want to do."
While a move a move up in weight is definitely in the works, Donaire doesn't want to speculate on how high he will rise before his career is over. A move to 122 and then up to 126 are a given but Donaire said that he will have to see how he feels at 126 before making a decision on if he will move up in weight again.
"If I do well at 126 and I can compete and it isn't dangerous then I will move up but if it gets ridiculous and it looks like I might get myself hurt then I obvioulsy will have to stop," Donaire told Boxingscene.
Donaire said that he hopes to return to the ring in January or February after his October fight. WBO champion Jorge Arce is one of the names being mentioned as a possible opponent for his super bantamweight debut.
Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton.
