Nonito Donaire Finally Got What He Wanted To Boost Career After Long Wait

Filipino-American boxer Nonito Donaire finally got what he wanted to propel his slow-paced boxing career after signing up with HBO for a two-fight promotional coverage starting off with his scheduled showdown with Wladimiro Sidorengko on December 4.

Donaire, who is ranked number four in the Ring's latest pound-for pound rankings, is hoping to land a fight with popular Mexican Fernando Montiel in February next year for a possible record-breaking fight purse of his boxing career.

Donaire and Sidorengko will be featured in the highly explosive fight between Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr and Alfornso Gomez at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Sidorengko is a former WBA bantamweight champion and Olympic bronze medalist in the 2000 Summer Olympics. He fought 23 times, winning 21 and drawing one.

Sidorengko is 34 years old and a native of Ukraine.

Donaire said he is excited about his upcoming fight because he knows he is fighting an opponent in the level he wants. "If I get this guy, I will be ready for the big boys", he said.

Donaire is training under Robert Garcia, who happens to be the same trainer of Manny Pacquiao's next opponent, Antonio Margarito of Mexico.

Garcia is currently in Oxnard, California for the final phase of his preparation for the Pacquiao-Margarito bout set for November 13 in Arlington, Texas.

“I was talking to him on the phone yesterday, and I’m pleased to know that Nonito’s training for Sidorenko is going very well,” Garcia said, adding that he talks to his prized Filipino boxer daily just to check on how he is doing."

On July 10, Donaire retained his WBA Interim superflyweight title against Herman Marquez in San Juan, Pueto Rico after his successful defense of the same title from Manuel Vargas last February 13.

Donaire is moving up and gunning for the WBA Interim bantamweight title against Sidorengko.

Donaire was born in Talibon, Bohol and grew up in General Santos City, South Cotabato. It was in General Santos that Donaire would go to the same school as boxing icon seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Nonito Donaire and Manny Pacquiao are the only Filipino boxers who are included in the Ring Magazine's top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Donaire holds a professional record of 25-24-1. He turned professional in 2001.