NEWLY crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. wants a rematch with unified world champion Naoya Inoue of Japan.
If that’s not possible, Donaire expressed his thoughts on an all-Filipino showdown with World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight king Johnriel Casimero, saying “if it is going to be part of the business, then so be it.”
“I really want to have a rematch with [Naoya] Inoue and fight those who have the belts to become the undisputed world bantamweight king,” the 38-year-old Donaire told BusinessMirror on Monday.
Donaire scored a fourth-round technical knockout win over Frenchman Nordine Oubaali in Carson City, California, on Sunday.
“I can’t do anything about it [Casimero fight]. It’s part of the business. I rather not,” he said. “But if it’s in my way, I will make it happen.”
Donaire’s stunning historic victory over Oubaali not only made him the oldest bantamweight world champion but also allowed him to redeem himself after losing to Inoue, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion, in November 2019 via unanimous decision in Japan.
“I am a much-improved Nonito Donaire now. I really work hard and disciplined myself during the pandemic,” said Donaire, who became a world champion again after five years since losing his WBO super bantamweight belt to Jessie Magdaleno in 2016 in Las Vegas via unanimous decision.
“I am better than two years ago. I rested and took care of my body very well,” he said. “You’ll see a lot of me in the coming years, my speed and power are still there. So definitely, you’ll see a lot of me in the future.”
Donaire said he will savor the victory for the meantime and will spend time with his wife Rachel and kids Jarel and Jarel Logan.
1 comment
wrong.He won a world title last 2018 when he defeated burnett for the WBA (super) bantam title