Donaire targets top boxers
in higher weight division

MANILA -- Nonito Donaire Jr. may be enjoying the fame and glamour like most world champion boxers do. Except for one thing – a big paycheck.

So when the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion climbs the ring in his next fight, expect him to compete on a bigger weight division with a bigger prize at stake.

"For you to earn big, you have to move up," Donaire said. "The big bucks are on the bigger weight divisions, so if you want to fight while earn more, then you have to fight the best in the bigger divisions and that's what I'm going to do."

Donaire, who is coming off an eighth-round stoppage of Hernan Marquez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, wants to fight the best in the junior bantamweight or bantamweight division.

"I want to fight any among boxing champions like Fernando Montiel, Erik Morel and Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.," said Donaire. "I'm confident of moving up, as I age, I feel that my body is getting bigger, but getting stronger, so I believe moving up is the best thing to do."

Montiel is the current holder of the World Boxing Council bantamweight crown while Morel is the bantamweight division's World Boxing Organization (WBO) titlist.

Vasquez, on the other hand, was the one who dealt Filipino boxer Marvin Sonsona a fourth-round technical knockout beating to claim the vacant WBO super bantamweight crown.

After a failed rematch with Vic Darchinyan, the man regarded as "The Filipino Flash" settled for a match with Marquez in a fight dominated form start to finish by the Pinoy pug.

Boxing fans were anticipating a return bout between Darchinyan and Donaire, who floored the boxer known as "The Raging Bull" in the fifth round of their July 7, 2007 bout in the United States.

That victory set the bigger stage for Donaire, who won his next six bouts and gained international fame.

"I prolonged my stay in the super flyweight division as I was anticipating a rematch with Darchinyan. I thought it was all set, until I received a message that the fight won't push through," added Donaire.

Currently the interim World Boxing Association super flyweight title holder, Donaire is expecting to get a shot at another world title - and hopefully a bigger cash reward. (gmanews.tv)