Nonito Donaire Must First Take Care Of Business at Bantamweight

Last weekend, former flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire scored the biggest win of his career by starching two-belt bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel in the second round.

Not only did the win come against arguably the toughest opponent of his career, it was an aesthetically pleasing knockout victory that took place as a main event on HBO. Even if the win had come over a fighter with half as many accolades as Montiel, it might still have been the talk of the boxing world.

Before Donaire could get back to his dressing room, the media had already labeled him Filipino great Manny Pacquiao's successor, with many claiming his place now right behind Pacquiao on the ever-subjective pound-for-pound list—I have him at number five.

As is always the case following this kind of stellar performance, the talk quickly turned to who would be next to meet Donaire in the ring. And, as is always the case following a Pacquiao victory, the media pointed to weight classes north of where the fighter is currently making his bones.

Names like Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa immediately popped out of Max Kellerman's mouth. Both of them titlists eight pounds above bantamweight, but more importantly, both of them promoted by Bob Arum.

Largely due to owning the promotional rights to Pacquiao, Arum's Top Rank promotional company has been absolutely surging. Arum himself has even said that they are doing better than ever before in their 38-year existence.

With his ever-growing stable of top-notch talent, Arum has turned his back on the rest of the promoters in the boxing world, increasingly only matching his stars with other Top Rank fighters.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer responded quite matter-of-factly when asked about Arum's recent moves.

"I thought a few years ago we had seen the worst of Arum. But I don't think that was the case because he's getting worse by the day. And he's really just pissing all over anyone's fight, unless it's one of his fights.

"And these in-house fights, I mean, let there be no mistake, he has his own designs and so does (Top Rank president) Todd (duBoef). They want to be like the UFC. They want to control the sport and they're basically going to piss and try to minimize anyone else's fights as much as they can."

Desperate words when you consider Golden Boy founder Oscar De La Hoya's remarks to Broadcasting & Cable last year when he claimed promoters like Arum and Don King have "had a chokehold on this sport for 40 years"—declaring them yesterday's news.

He went on to compliment the UFC business plan and its position as the only real force in MMA. "We need to sign all the talent and get all the TV dates," said De La Hoya.

And now, following Donaire's breakout win on Saturday, Arum knows he has another major player under his Top Rank umbrella.

When asked if he was impressed by Donaire's recent performance, Arum did not hold back from complimenting his fighter.

"Are you crazy? To see a punch like that and having the force that it did, breaking Montiel's jaw. I mean, it's one of the most unbelievable punches I've seen and I've seen Tommy Hearns, (Marvin) Hagler, really good punchers. I've never seen a punch like that."

Arum went on to say he was looking towards super bantamweights Steve Molitor and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. as opponents for Donaire in the immediate future. Both of them titlists, but more importantly, both Top Rank fighters.

"And in another year, he will probably end up at 126 (featherweight)," said Arum.

However, Showtime is currently in the midst of a four-man bantamweight tournament, with the finals going down on April 23. Undefeated IBO titlist Abner Mares will face off against IBF titlist Joseph Agbeko to determine the tournament winner.

Whoever comes out on top in that bout has a strong case to be considered the champion at bantamweight, as does Donaire.

In an era of constant catch-weight matchups and total disregard for weight classes, it would be refreshing for two fighters to make it their goal to be the undisputed champion in their division. Donaire has that opportunity—and he is interested.

When asked by Max Kellerman immediately following his win if he would move up for "bigger and better game," Donaire responded, "I think that I want to be undisputed in this weight class. And if that doesn't happen, I got my trust and faith in Cameron Dunkin (Donaire's manager). If that's 122, let's go. If that's 126, let's go. I think that it keeps me moving, it keeps me being the best of who I am."

If you're like me and hoping for an undisputed bantamweight champion before Donaire moves up in weight, then by default you are rooting for Joseph Agbeko to best Abner Mares on April 23.

Mares is promoted by Golden Boy, while Agbeko is promoted by the much more Top Rank-friendly Thompson Boxing. And that is likely what will make the difference for Top Rank.

Arum refuses to work with any Golden Boy fighters, particularly evidenced by Shane Mosely leaving Golden Boy to get a shot at Pacquiao.

If Mares wins the tournament, don't expect there to be an undisputed champion anytime soon. And I doubt Top Rank will announce Donaire's next opponent until they see who does come out on top on April 23.

In the meantime, WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno is being explored as a possible summer opponent for Donaire. If Mares wins the tournament, a Moreno bout will have to suffice Donaire's desire to unify the division.

If Donaire adds the WBA title to his collection and Agbeko can add the IBO title to his, a match between the two would be for all five of the meaningless trinkets.

But, whether we get to see an undisputed champion at 118 pounds, or whether you even care to, when was the last time people were talking this much about the little guys?

Oh yeah, when Manny Pacquiao was one.