Donaire and his family are now in the country for the Christmas holidays after a 12-round grueling fight against Cesar Juarez of Mexico last Dec. 11 in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Less than two weeks after the title fight in Puerto Rico, ESPN’s Dan Rafael reported an eminent showdown between Donaire and Gravovich citing Cameron Dunkin as the source of information.
The Donaire-Gradovich fight becomes almost a certainty when Philboxing’s Ronnie Nathanielz reported the fight could take place in Manila in April citing a recent arrangement between ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions (TR).
Both Donaire and Gradovich have trained under Robert Garcia and some time in 2013 Garcia nearly gave up one of them because they were being matched by TR, their common promoter.
Last year, Donaire left Garcia to train under his father Nonito Donaire Sr. while Gradovich remained with Garcia. Donaire and Gradovich have sparred during their training at Garcia’s gym. They’re friends and know each other’s styles well. But Donaire said, “It’s all business, nothing personal.”
Last June, Gradovich staked his title against Lee Selby of England and lost his IBF featherweight title via a technical decision after the ring physician ruled Gradovich could not continue fighting after the eighth round due to his eye injury that was caused by accidental headbutt. Selby was proclaimed winner as he was ahead on points after the fight stoppage.
Apparently, the Donaire-Gradovich fight is considered a done deal but Arum has yet to make an official announcement which could include the exact date and venue of the fight.
