By Ryan Maquiñana
Glenn Donaire dismissed a report claiming that he was the next challenger for unified flyweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada in 2014.
“That’s the first time I heard about that,” Donaire told BoxingScene.com/CSNBayArea.com on Saturday. “That sounds nice, but I’m done with boxing. I’m retired and I’m happy spending time with my family now.”
Donaire (19-5-1, 10 KOs), a two-time world title challenger from San Leandro, Calif., via the Philippines, came back from a three-year absence from the sport in 2011 and won two bouts, but after fighting with an injured knee in a decision loss to Omar Soto in September 2012, decided to step away from boxing for good.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity I had when I came back, with my manager and my promoter and the dates I got on Telemundo,” Donaire said. “But fights just kept falling through, and eventually I just went back to my regular job as a truck driver so I could support my family.”
Tuto Zabala Jr., who was Donaire’s promoter during his comeback, confirmed the fighter’s assertion regarding a bout with Estrada (25-2, 18 KOs) on Saturday via social media.
“I was offered the fight by ZanFer (Estrada’s promoter) and told them that Glenn is retired, but they still went ahead and used his name for publicity,” Zabala told BoxingScene.com/CSNBayArea.com. “(I) told them also that I have undefeated Joebert Alvarez who is ranked, willing and able, but they insisted on Glenn which I told (them) no.”
Ryan Maquiñana was the boxing producer for NBCOlympics.com during London 2012 and writes a boxing column for CSNBayArea.com. He is a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and Ring Magazine's Ratings Panel. E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com , check out his blog at Norcalboxing.net or follow him on Twitter @RMaq28.