Manny Pacquiao’s ascent to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings has raised the stature of fighters from the Philippines.
While building a legacy as best fighter of his generation, Pacquiao also is opening opportunities for countrymen to penetrate into the American market and land possible pay-per-view dates.
Philippines native Nonito Donaire recognizes how Pacquiao’s impact is helping his career. “He is definitely an inspiration in my career – an inspiration in boxing and how I want to be,” Donaire said in a recent conference call. “I am inspired to see no impossibility.”
Already a world champion in two weight divisions, Donaire will seek his third belt in a separate class Saturday night. Donaire, 28, will fight defending champion Fernando Montiel for the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization bantamweight titles at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
“I think Montiel is the most complete fighter I will have faced,” said Donaire, a former titlehoder in the flyweight and super-flyweight divisions. “This is the biggest fight of my career.”
Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) has moved into pound-for-pound consideration thanks to eight knockouts in his last nine fights. His knockouts include Vic Darchinyan, whom he stopped in four rounds for a world flyweight title four years ago.
With Pacquiao now the sport’s most popular fighter, Donaire also hopes to gradually win over followers. Donaire considers the HBO telecast Saturday night as an ideal setting to make his push into the mainstream and larger fight purses.
“My marketability will skyrocket,” Donaire said of his prospects with a victory over Montiel. “My name will get bigger and I will get bigger fights. People will come after me because that’s what happens when you’re on top.”
Not lost in Donaire’s is the popularity he already is winning in the Philippines. Although he only has fought four bouts in his native country, Donaire said he usually visits the Philippines after each fight.
“The people have received me very well,” Donaire said. “They have noticed what I have done for boxing and the country. They are very warm to me and it is a blessing.”
Gallos fight in limbo
The Miami Gallos still have not rescheduled their World Series of Boxing match against the Memphis Force, according to the agency that oversees the Florida Boxing Commission.
“As of [Friday], WSB has not reapplied for an event permit to reschedule their February 5, 2011 event and we have not received the event permit application for their previously pending event scheduled February 24,” Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation spokesperson Sandi Copes, said in an email.
The Gallos’ first permit application for the Memphis match was denied because it lacked multiple requirements.
New fight locations
Miami promoter Felix Zabala Jr. is expanding his Florida fight card locations after the ending of shows at Miccosukee Resort and Gaming. Zabala will present his first show of the year in Florida on Feb. 25 in Palm Bay.
With the end of boxing at Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in west Miami-Dade last year, Zabala is now targeting other locations. Zabala promoted between four to six shows at Miccosukee since 2002.
Two weeks after his show in Palm Bay, Zabala will present another card in Kissimmee
sperez@MiamiHerald.com
Source: miamiherald.com
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