By Ronnie Nathanielsz
There’s some confusion over the WBC bantamweight title held by Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire which he retained with a twelve round shutout against undefeated two division champion Omar Narvaez at the Theater of Madison Square Garden a few weeks ago.
Although Donaire publicly announced, along with trainer Robert Garcia and even Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, that Donaire was moving up to super bantamweight since he was having trouble making the 118 pound limit, he hasn’t officially informed the WBC that he is giving up the title.
WBC executive director Mauricio Sulaiman told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that “The WBC has not had the courtesy of a response for several weeks of communications” and went ahead and staged what several internet boxing sites reported was a fight for the vacant title.
Undefeated Japanese southpaw Shinsuke Yamanaka (15-0-2, 11 KO’s) won the title in Tokyo last Sunday with an 11th roujd TKO over Mexico’s Christian Esquivel (24-3, 18 KO’s).
When informed by BoxingScene.com/The Standard that Donaire claimed he hadn’t officially communicated with the WBC about a decision to relinquish his title, Sulaiman, who was the WBC supervisor of the fight, said “the matter is simple. When Donaire confirms in writing (he has done it publicly) Yamanaka will be confirmed as WBC champion. If Donaire decides to remain as bantamweight champion he must then comply with his mandatory and fight Yamanaka.”
