Roy Jones, Jr. Says Nonito Donaire Is in Same Class As Mayweather and Pacquiao

Roy Jones, Jr., serving as an HBO analyst, gushed about Nonito Donaire after he stopped Fernando Montiel in the second round.  

When talking about how impressive Donaire’s performance was, Jones tossed the new WBC and WBO bantamweight champion some major compliments. 

"Nobody else comes close to Pacquiao, Mayweather and Donaire," Jones remarked. 

He then stated that all three fighters are in the category of pound-for-pound best, and closed by saying, "It's about who does the job. This kid (can) do the job. I see this kid doing some special things that not many fighters can do."

"The Filipino Flash" has not lost a fight since 2001, and has now won 25 straight.  Additionally, 10 of his past 12 wins have come by knockout. 

Donaire handed Montiel just his third professional loss in 49 fights.  Montiel was also amidst an 11-0-1 streak in his past 12 fights, knocking out five of his past six opponents. 

However, one would have had no idea what kind of skill-set Montiel brought to the table judging by how Donaire simply embarrassed him.

The new dual title holder stated that his game plan was simple coming into this one: "I just needed an opening. From there, it was the speed. That was my main key. That and the openings that he gave me were all that I needed.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who of course also works with Manny Pacquiao, said he and Donaire agree that the bantamweight is looking for a unification fight next.   

In an ideal world, Donaire would like to take on the winner of Abnar Mares (21-0-1, 10 KOs) and Joseph Agbeko (31-2-1, 18 KOs), set to take place on April 23rd. 

Mares comes in holding the IBO and WBC titles, while Agbeko’s claim to fame is that he is a two-time IBF champion. 

Donaire’s competitive spirit is blatantly obvious—if the unification bout doesn’t work out, he said he has no problem fighting at either super bantamweight (122) or featherweight (126).

Bantamweights Steve Molitor (33-1, 12 KOs, IBF champion) and Wilfredo Vazquez (20-0-1, WBO champion) are legitimate possibilities to take on Donaire next as well.

At featherweight, do not count out Yuriorkis Gamboa (19-0, 15 KOs, WBA and IBF title holder) or Juan Manuel Lopez (29-0, 26 KOs, WBO title holder) from squaring off with Donaire in the near future. 

Regardless who he takes on next, it is obvious that Donaire has firmly established himself as one of the elite fighters in boxing now.