Even before the confirmation of his fight in Manila on March 28, Donaire (33-3, 21 knockouts) had started training ahead of his return fight.
The fight which will be held at the huge Mall of Asia Arena in the Philippines, is his first since losing to Walters who snatched his WBA (Super) Featherweight title via TKO. Donaire won twice in a row before his loss to Walters.
No opponent has been named so far but a rematch with Simpiwe Vetyeka or Guillermo Rigondeaux is on the horizon. Other options include Vasyl Lomachenko and Evgeny Gradovich.
Donaire will have to fight again at 126 pounds featherweight limit if he elects to face Vetyeka in a rematch. This could delay his plan to go back to the junior featherweight (122 lbs.) where he made the the most victories in his career.
Fighting at 122 will bring him in collision course with Rigondeaux for the second time but it won’t be a lucrative fight for Donaire as the unbeaten Cuban is one boring fighter to watch.
Unbeaten Leo Sta. Cruz, who is facing Jesus Ruiz on January 17, is also a good prospect for Donaire in the junior featherweight limit but the timing would be a problem as Donaire is set to fight on March 28, giving Santa Cruz with barely two months to prepare.
Top Rank fighter Vasyl Lomanchenko, who is the current WBO featherweight champion, is another prospect for the “Filipino Flash:” but with only four pro fights to his credit, the fight could be a hard sell for promoter Bob Arum.
Donaire, who is expecting his second child with wife Rachel, is currently training at his father’s gym in Oakland, California.
