By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says that trainer Freddie Roach is “interested in training” IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who is being lined up for a title fight against WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel in March either in Manila or Macau.
In an overseas telephone conversation with insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Arum revealed that Roach told him he was “interested in stepping in and training Nonito” who had earlier announced that his father, Nonito Donaire Sr would no longer be his trainer.
Arum said looking for a successor to Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, “maybe” Donaire could be the answer but added “I don’t know whether he can step up.”
At the same time Arum said he was also not sure whether Brian Viloria can regain a world title as a flyweight although Viloria has won his last four fights after losing to Mexico’s Edgar Sosa by a majority decision in a battle for the vacant WBC light flyweight title.
Arum disclosed that Solar Sports was interested in staging a blockbuster double-header title card at the Araneta Coliseum in March featuring Donaire vs Montiel and Viloria possibly going down to fight IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis.
Viloria fights on Saturday, Manila Time, in a Top Rank card in Los Angeles where two fighters of vice governor Manny Pinol, junior lightweight Glenn “Rapid Fire” Gonzales and bantamweight Jundy “Pretty Boy” Maraon will see action.
