Former four-division world titleholder Nonito Donaire is returning to the bantamweight division he has not boxed in since 2011.
Donaire has joined the field for the World Boxing Super Series 118-pound tournament that is scheduled to begin this fall, tournament organizers announced Thursday.
Donaire, who has won world titles at flyweight, bantamweight, junior featherweight and featherweight, last fought as a bantamweight when he defended his belt by shutout decision against Omar Narvaez in October 2011.
But nearing the end of his career and looking for another significant opportunity, Donaire decided to drop down two weight classes for a spot in the eight-man, single-elimination tournament that will feature several of the top fighters in the bantamweight division.
“I’m really looking forward to the tournament,” Donaire said. “Entering the tournament gives me an opportunity to showcase my capabilities against the best in this division. This division is stacked with talent and that’s really exciting! I believe my size, experience and most of all my power will give me the edge over my opponents.”
“The Filipino Flash” Donaire (38-5, 24 KOs), 35, a native of the Philippines fighting out of Las Vegas, is coming off a clear unanimous decision loss to Carl Frampton challenging for a vacant interim featherweight title on April 21 in Frampton’s hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Following the fight Donaire said he would be open to dropping down in weight for the right opportunity.
“Donaire is a legend in the game and an amazing addition to the Muhammad Ali Trophy action,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland, chief boxing officer for tournament organizer Comosa AG. “He has fought in various divisions, but will look at his very best in the 118-pound lineup because of exceptionally fast hand speed and terrific punching power.”
Donaire is the fifth fighter to officially join the bantamweight field. Puerto Rico’s Emmanuel Rodriguez (18-0, 12 KOs), 25, will make his first defense against mandatory challenger Jason Moloney (17-0, 14 KOs), 27, of Australia, in one of the quarterfinals.
Also set to take part are titleholders Ryan Burnett (19-0, 9 KOs), 26, of Northern Ireland and Zolani Tete (27-3, 21 KOs), a 30-year-old southpaw from South Africa.
Japanese star Naoya Inoue (16-0, 14 KOs), 25, has not been formally announced as a participant, but he said after his first-round knockout of Jamie McDonnell to win a secondary belt on May 25 in Tokyo that he would be part of the field. Inoue and his team are in the process of finalizing his deal to be part of the tournament.
Donaire is anxious to get his hands on as many belts as he can.
“People always asked about my goal and I said to be undisputed (world champion). With this tournament, that goal is now attainable,” Donaire said.
Donaire won’t actually get a chance to become the undisputed champion because only three of the four major belts will be involved in the tournament — unless the final two slots are taken by Nordine Oubaali (14-0, 11 KOs), 31, a two-time French Olympian, and Petch Sor Chipatanna (46-0, 31 KOs), 24, of Thailand, who are due to fight for the vacant WBC version of the title.