Jorge Arce in Las Vegas, meeting with Arum to discuss showdown with Donaire

As reported by Alfredo Jaime Gomez at Notifight.com/BoxingScene.com, WBO super bantamweight champion Jorge Arce has arrived in Las Vegas for this weekend’s intriguing clash between WBC super bantamweight titleholder Toshiaki Nishioka and Rafael Marquez. While Arce will be ringside to cheer on his countryman Marquez, he is also in town to discuss some serious business with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in regards to his next ring appearance.

Arce is coming off of a 4th round TKO over Simphiwe Nongqayi this past weekend in Mexicali and is once again a hot commodity in the sport, having upset then-champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. one fight prior in May. Arce is tentatively scheduled for an appearance on the November 12th Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch at the MGM Grand, with former title challenger Silence Mabuza from South Africa being kicked around as one of his possible dance partners.

If successful in November, Arce will be looking for a big fight in 2012. Many had been hoping for a rematch against Vazquez Jr., as Arce’s come-from-behind 11th round TKO victory was pretty thrilling, but the Los Mochis native seems to be open to a clash with bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.

“I have no fear of anyone,” said Arce. “They want me to fight [Vazquez Jr.] in January or February, but there is nothing concrete. If they offer me good money, I’ll be going to Puerto Rico, but I don’t come cheap. After November 12th, I want Nonito Donaire.”

Donaire is slated for an October 22nd defense of his WBC and WBO belts against super flyweight champion Omar Narvaez and will be eyeing a move up in weight in the coming year. The Fil-Am fighter’s speed and quickness would figure to give serious fits to Arce but it’s certainly a fight worth watching and would make for a great debut for Donaire in the super bantamweight class.

And, just as he has done in the past, Arce would be looking to play the role of the spoiler to the crowd’s delight.

SOURCE: examiner.com

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Arum eyes a potential clash between Donaire and Nishioka

A clash between WBC junior featherweight titleholder Toshiaki Nishioka and WBA and WBO bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire "would be a huge, huge fight," according to Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum.

The 35-year-old Nishioka (38-4-3, 24 KOs), of Tokyo, has a 15-bout winning streak that includes 10 knockouts, and has not lost since dropping a unanimous decision to former WBC bantamweight beltholder and Thai legend Veeraphol Sahaprom in March of 2004 -- a span of seven years and six months.

"Most of the boxing public don't know how good Nishioka is, but Nishioka is the real deal. Would it be a huge fight for the outside world? Probably not. But a fight between a Filipino and a Japanese guy, that would be a huge, huge fight," said Arum.

"Nishioka could fight Donaire at 122. A lot of people don't realize or know how a good that f___ing fight is... Nishioka's tall like Donaire, and they're two bombs-away punchers. It's two guys at the top of their craft who would be going up against each other."

Nishioka is the last man to defeat WBC featherweight titleholder Jhonny Gonzalez (50-7, 44 KOs) of Mexico City, who scored his 10th straight knockout against Rogers Matagwa on Sept. 15. During their fight in May of 2009, Nishioka rose from a first-round knockdown and floored Gonzalez in the third and final round to score the knockout.

In what Arum calls "a helluva f___ing fight," Nishioka will make the seventh defense of his belt against former two-division titleholder Rafael Marquez (40-6, 36 KOs) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

A resident of San Leandro, Calif., who moved there from the Philippines when he was 11, the 28-year-old Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) scored his 25th straight win, and the 10th stoppage of that particular run, with a second-round knockout of three-division beltwinner Fernando Montiel (46-3-2, 36 KOs) in February.

Donaire will defend his belts against WBO junior bantamweight beltholder Omar Narvaez (35-0, 23 KOs) on Oct. 22 at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Donaire also has mentioned potential bouts with the winner of an IBF-ordered bantamweight rematch between Abner Mares (22-0-1, 13 KOs) and Joseph Agbeko (28-3, 22 KOs) that is slated for Dec. 3.

But Arum insists that he's targeting Donaire opposite the winner of Nishioka-Marquez.

"If Donaire wins his next fight, then the winner of Marquez-Nishioka goes up against Donaire at 122," said Arum. "If Nishioka gets by Marquez, then he gets Donaire. That's the plan."

SOURCE: ringtv.craveonline.com

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Nonito Donaire holding public workout in San Carlos on Oct. 8

Nonito Donaire, who’s scheduled to defend his bantamweight titles on Oct. 22 against Omar Narvaez, is set to put on a public workout on Oct. 8.

The workout, open to the public, will take place at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, Calif. and will begin at 1 p.m.

Fight fans can find the gym at 883 E. San Carlos Avenue.

Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) is coming off a knockout win over Fernando Montiel and is making the first defense of his unified title.

HBO will televise the bout, which takes place inside the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

SOURCE: examiner.com

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Nonito Donaire just wants the right opportunity and it is coming

By Rich Mancuso

Maybe Nonito Donaire needed the deserved attention last week when he appeared in New York City with Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. He will defend his bantamweight title, at the WAMU Theatre at Madison Square Garden, against undefeated Argentinean champion Omar Narvaez October 22. It is the Garden, not the main arena, but a huge fight for Donaire who will make his debut on the east coast.

The task ahead is to defeat Narvaez, undefeated in 35 fights with two draws. It won’t be easy. “I need to be at my best and train hard for this fight,” said Donaire last week at a New York press conference where Cotto and Margarito were showcased on their media tour to promote their upcoming battle at the Garden on December 3rd. “it is definitely something I have to take seriously,” he said.

The boxing world took notice of Donaire in February when he knocked out Fernando Montiel in the second round for the title. After that there were contract issues that made news. Top Rank and Golden Boy promotions were in a legal battle for his contract. Golden Boy said they had his rights and in the end Bob Arum won the fight. With that over, Donaire was ready to continue a journey that he hopes will eventually, but not top, Manny Pacquiao. The connection is Donaire and Pacquiao are two champions from the Philippines.

“I am happy to be with Top Rank,” he says. “I don’t want to be compared to Pacquiao. He has done great things for the sport of boxing. We are two different people. I respect what he has done. I want to fight the best.” Donaire, after his fight in New York has expressed an interest in moving up the ladder. There are plans to fight at 126, possibly looking at taking on current featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa.

Arum has envisioned Donaire to be in the marketing plan at Top Rank. Showcasing the 28-year old southpaw in New York City is a start. There is a large contingent of Filipino boxing fans in New York, and exposure fighting at the Garden, known as The Mecca, will only help his cause. “Great to show my talents to the many Filipinos in the New York area,” he said about his bout that will be televised on HBO.

But will Donaire be able to take on Gamboa, if indeed this is the last fight at bantamweight? He was not included in the Showtime tournament that has become the Abner Mares and Joseph Agbeko show. He could not wait for the opportunity to fight Mares, so it was his decision to move on. “I want to fight the best out there and if it is not at 122 it can be 126,” he says.

Arum could care less where Donaire decides to go. He has always envisioned his fighter to be marketable and moving up in weight could lead to pay-per-view fights. Arum was asked about an eventual meeting of Donaire opposing Gamboa. As expected there was no definite answer, and if that fight happens it all depends on what occurs at the Garden. And Gamboa has expressed an interest of fighting as a junior lightweight, but that should not deter Doinaire.

“I don’t want to look ahead,” he says, “but for me I want to fight the best out there. Gamboa said he is moving up in weight but is willing to move down to fight me. I will be glad for boxing if we can get the best fights. I am all about that. I want to be the best. It will be an amazing fight if Gamboa wants to face me.”

To which Arum commented, “Right now Gamboa has a plan. It is still too early to be talking about a Donaire-Gamboa fight. Look anything can happen between now and then. Right now Ninito is focused on fighting in New York City. This will be a great fight with Narvaez. The talents of Nonito will be seen and what better way to do that than at Madison Square Garden.”

But Arum missed a golden opportunity in the past year. A mega fight that would have showcased two of the top featherweights, Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez was in the plans, and the possible venue was New York City. Lopez would lose his title and Gamboa continued his title reign so that fight never happened. Now, with Donaire looking for the bigger opportunity, Arum may get some redemption and have a bigger fight if Gamboa and Donaire meet.

“I want to make that statement that Nonito is to be feared,” he says. Donaire has the speed and power to resemble Pacquiao at times. However, as proud as he is about his heritage, Donaire does not want to be compared to the welterweight champion. “We are two different people, two different fighters,” he says The boxing fan has decided they are two different fighters, and the Filipino community has not caught on with him as they are so immersed with the exploits of Pacquiao.

Bu that could start to change once Pacquiao decides to hang up the gloves. Donaire may just be getting started, and the right place is fighting at Madison Square Garden in New York City even if it is not before 19,000 fans. The Theatre seats a little over 5,500, but the exposure and fighting a world class fighter will help his cause.

“I am given the opportunity and I have to present myself,” says Donaire. Defeating Montiel was a first step, settling the promotional contract was another, and now New York City awaits him.

SOURCE: boxinginsider.com

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Donaire plans to entertain

WBC/WBO bantamweight world champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs) is set to defend his belts against unbeaten two-division champion Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KOs) on October 22 at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden. At a recent press conference, the Filipino American fighter approached the mic with an attempt at Robert DiNiro’s role in “Taxi Driver” saying, “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?” Donaire went on to say that to fight at Madison Square Garden is an honor. He’s looking forward to showcasing his boxing skills to the Filipino, Latino, and local community for his first appearance in NY. Donaire also announced that he’ll be outfitted in pink for the October 22nd fight in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

While, Nonito Donaire is ranked in most top fives pound for pound, he is looking to cross over from being a favorite among the hard core boxing fan base to being a fighter everyone knows.

His biggest breakout performance came in July of 2007 when he knocked out undefeated flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan in round five winning the IBF championship. Donaire said, “The Darchinyan KO started the Donaire buzz. The fans questioned if I was a fluke or a flash in the pan. Since then I continued to prove that I’m here to stay.”

Fighting at MSG and having the bout broadcast live on HBO, Donaire is hoping to build on this momentum. “I’m hoping people from Jersey City, fans from the NY area, the Filipino and Latino fans, and all boxing fans can come out to bring excitement to the Garden on October 22nd.” Donaire understands how important it is to entertain the fans at MSG and at home watching on HBO. “It’s a great opportunity to fight on TV especially HBO.” When asked why he wasn’t part of the Bantamweight Tournament on Showtime he said, “There was an opportunity to fight the best at that time, in Fernando Montiel. Everything has been great after that. I don’t regret anything.”

The challenger, WBO Super Flyweight Champion, Omar Narvaez, is moving up in weight with intentions of taking the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles from Donaire. Donaire said, “He’s an experienced, slick fighter that can pose a threat but I’m going to train hard and I know when I’m at my best no one can stop me.” In Donaire’s last ten fights he has nine ending by early stoppage or knockout. Donaire said “If I see the knockout I’ll take it but I’m ready to go 24 rounds if I have to.”

For the past four fights Donaire has been working with Victor Conte, the founder and president of BALCO, supplier of the banned performance-enhancing substance that was allegedly used by MLB players Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. Conte is now running Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Conditioning and has recently been working with undefeated Super Six Finalist Andre Ward and IBF Welterweight Champ Andre Berto.

Donaire couldn’t be happier working with Conte. “It’s been great working with Victor, he’s a sweetheart, he’s actually like a father to me. I’ve learned a lot in terms of recovery and bringing out the best of me physically.”

Conte said “I’m relatively new in the game of boxing and what I learned in a short period of time is whether you win or lose the fight, it has to do with the talents of the boxer and the head trainer and if they get it right then the rest of the team gets to have the opportunity to contribute.” Conte went on to say “I’ve very pleased to be working with Nonito, he’s a very gifted guy not only in terms of his boxing skills but as a person. I have tremendous confidence that he’ll be in great shape.” Conte believes that Robert Garcia who will also train Antonio Margarito and Mikey Garcia for their upcoming bouts, and said “[Garcia] will put together a great game plan for Nonito and he’ll put on a great performance on October 22nd.”

If everything goes as planned Donaire will be saying, “You talkin’ to me?” after defending his title against Argentina’s Omar Narvaez.

Narvaez was not in attendance and was not available for comment.

Undefeated featherweight Mikey Garcia is on the undercard with no opponent scheduled at this time.

DETAILS

World Bantamweight Championship

Nonito Donaire vs. Omar Narvaez

The Theatre at Madison Square Garden – Doors at 7:30PM

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:30PM EST

Tickets priced at $200, $100, $50, and $25

SOURCE: fightnews.com

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Juan Manuel Lopez shows interest in bout with Nonito Donaire in 2012

Nonito Donaire made such a splash this past February by moving up to the bantamweight class and blitzing champion Fernando Montiel inside of two rounds, that people in the sport of boxing couldn’t help but ponder how high he could rise after that virtuoso performance in Las Vegas. Having captured titles at 112 and 118 pounds, with a short run as an interim champion at 115 pounds, Donaire has stated that he will again be moving north come 2012 following his October 22nd date against super flyweight champion Omar Narvaez in New York.

While Donaire will find intriguing bouts at 122 pounds, possibly against the likes of either Jorge Arce, Wilfredo Vazquez, or the winner between the October 1st Toshiaki Nishioka-Rafael Marquez bout, it is at 126 pounds that things could get even more intriguing. The featherweight class is chalked full of established champions and emerging contenders, one of whom recently, Juan Manuel Lopez, came forward to weigh in with his thoughts on possibly facing the ultra-talented Fil-Am fighter in 2012.

Lopez will be facing off with Connecticut's Mike Oliver on October 1st and after that he will be looking to avenge the first loss of his career as he eyes a rematch with WBO champion Orlando Salido. The durable Mexican upset Lopez in April by way of a shocking 8th round TKO and Lopez is bent on proving his worth if he can track down Salido again.

And if the Puerto Rican southpaw is able to turn the tables, he admits a fight later in the year against Donaire is one that catches his eye.

“Donaire is a very interesting fighter that any boxer would like to fight,” Lopez said recently in a BoxingScene.com piece by Rey Colon. “I am willing to fight him if that’s what my promoter wants. [Donaire] is close to my height and that would be an interesting fight. But my focus right now is on regaining my title and to avenge my loss to Salido.”

Lopez did also mention the likes of former champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, WBC boss Jhonny Gonzalez, and WBA champion Chris John as potential opponents, and an inevitable move to 130 pounds will also soon be awaiting him. So while the Donaire fight may be a stretch to ever happen, it’s certainly worth pondering at this point.

SOURCE: examiner.com

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Great opportunities await Donaire – Arum

MANILA, Philippines — Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has found the heir apparent to Manny Pacquiao and he's no other than Nonito Donaire.

"I think Donaire has a great opportunity to be a big, big superstar," Arum told the online edition of The Ring magazine in New York recently.

Donaire is set to face unbeaten Argentine Omar Narvaez on Oct. 22 at Madison Square Garden and the 79-year-old Arum believes Donaire has all the qualities needed to reach superstardom.

"Obviously he’s younger than Manny [Pacquiao], so he can capture the huge Philippines audience that’s all over the world," said Arum, who doesn't see Pacquiao still fighting beyond 2015.

Donaire, 28, is four years younger than Pacquiao and is widely regarded as one of the world's top three fighters today.

Arum said there are plenty of opportunities out there for Donaire, who has won world titles at flyweight (112 lbs) and bantamweight (118 lbs).

Assuming Donaire hurdles Narvaez, Arum said Donaire will go up to super-bantamweight (122 lbs) and will likely go up to lightweight (130 lbs).

SOURCE: mb.com.ph

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Donaire fight in NYC, Ward bout on Boardwalk AND peak fall color? What a trip

Nonito Donaire was in New York City a couple of days ago, and the preview it provided for the Bay Area bantamweight star might be a preview of what’s in store for you if you’re a boxing fan and a savvy traveler.

For the boxing fan, Madison Square Garden is high on your bucket list, and now Donaire is headlining at a wing of that arena Oct. 22 on HBO when he defends his two bantamweight title belts against unbeaten super flyweight Omar Narvaez. But wait: there’s more.

Oakland’s Andre Ward meets England’s Carl Froch in Atlantic City the following Saturday, Oct. 29, in Showtime’s SuperSix final.

Yes, you say, but hanging out in Manhattan or Atlantic City is too expensive (and get a load of this ticket information). What to do with that week in between?

Uh, have you ever been in the East during peak fall color? That ought to be on your bucket list, too.

Fall foliage can only add to the perfect timing of the Donaire and Ward fights if you’re seeking your money’s worth to justify the long trek from the Bay Area and the duration of that trek.

Any sunny day the last week of October this year in the Tri-State Area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) or Pennsylvania’s Poconos is likely to be one of the most exquisite days you’ve ever seen.  

Make it a 10-day trip. New York City may be hard to book on such short notice, but spring for at least two nights there. I found rooms for about $365 a night at the Wales Hotel on the Upper East Side near a particularly notable stretch of Central Park. (In contrast, Nonito’s in-laws were bemoaning the considerably more exhorbitant rate where they’ll be staying.)

After you bolt Manhattan, might I suggest a field trip to discern why they call New Jersey “The Garden State.” Hint: Set the GPS for “least use of freeways,” or at least stay off the Jersey Turnpike. Afterward you can tell people “I went to Princeton.”

SOURCE: .examiner.com

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NONITO DONAIRE : "I WANT TO BE THE BEST. I WANT TO FIGHT THE BEST"

New York - Nonito Donaire's last twenty four hours has been a busy one, to say the least. It has been a whirlwind of a day for the boxer known as the 'Filipino Flash' and his wife, Rachel who is in town to promote his October 22 fight at the WAMU theatre of the Madison Square Garden. 

Donaire graced the New York leg of the Miguel Cotto - Antonio Margarito press tour at the Edison Ballroom yesterday and talk of his upcoming fight and defense of his bantamweight belts. It will be his first fight in the East Coast and this one is special to him as he will be headlining the card at no less than the Mecca of Boxing, the Madison Square Garden. 

"I'm happy because it's my first time here and I will finally get the chance to meet and see the people of New York and Jersey. I know there are a lot of Filipinos around this area and it's a blessing to be here and showcased my talent in boxing," he enthusiastically said. "It's great to finally get this opportunity to show my talents to the people here, the Filipino community, the Latino community, the boxing community out here. I am given this opportunity and I got to present myself," he added. 

Donaire will be facing unbeaten Argentinean champ Omar Narvaez in his debut fight at the Big Apple. Omar Narvaez is undefeated in 35 fights and has drawn twice in his career. "My opponent is good and is a legend in Argentina so I need to be at my best and train hard for this fight," Donaire told the scribes gathered around him in this theater at Times Square. "He is a great fighter. He is a fighter that knows how to win out there and that is why he is still undefeated. With his expertise and experience, there could be surprises that I may overlook. It's definitely something that I had to take seriously," he added. 

Donaire meantime has a lone loss in his 27 fight career. He is fresh from a spectacular second round knockout victory of then bantamweight titlist Fernando Montiel in February at Las Vegas. A performance he calls his "most accomplished knockout." His career went to a stand still after that because of contract issues with his promoter Top Rank but is now happy and relieved that it was all ironed out. "We worked everything out, it was just a miscommunication. Everything is great. I am just blessed to be fighting now. I am blessed that I am getting this opportunity to fight again. I am happy to be with Top Rank." 

Donaire verbalizes that this is his last fight in this division and is looking to move up in weight after this fight. He verbalizes he is not willing to wait for boxers like Abner Mares who just won a bantamweight belt last month as part of Showtime's bantamweight tournament to challenge him. Mares has a mandated rematch with Joseph Agbeko in December and that might be too long for Donaire to wait for him. 

"Now, I have learned not to wait. If they want to make that fight happen, they want to make that happen. I am always ready for a fight. I am not here to just look pretty or sit around and fight the easy fights. I want to fight the best out there. If it's in 122 or 126, so be it," he declared. 

He is looking to fight the winner of the October 1 match between Rafael Marquez and Toshiaki Noshioka as his next fight which will be in the super bantamweight level after his fight with Narvaez. "That is what I'm aiming for. I am looking to fight the winner, either one of them as they are both amazing fighters," he said. 

Donaire was also asked about a future fight with featherweight king Yuriorkis Gamboa whose name was floated after Gamboa won his fight against Daniel Ponce de Leon last September 10. Gamboa expressed interest of fighting Donaire if Donaire wants to. Gamboa himself is looking to move up another weight class but states he'll stay at 126 if Donaire wants to challenge him. 

"I don't want to look ahead but with me, I want to fight the best out there. I think that Gamboa is on top. He said he is moving up but is willing to go down to face me. The thing that I want to do is present boxing the way it is supposed to be. It'll be good for the sport if we can get the best fighters out for the best fights, that will be an amazing thing. I'm all about that. I want to be the best. I want to fight the best. And if Gamboa stands in that way, then that will be an amazing fight," he declared. 

On October 22, 2011 Donaire will have the opportunity to show how good he is and how promising he can be in front of the Tristate area audience. He will also be seen nationally and worldwide as cable giant HBO will feature it in it's Boxing After Dark Series. "I will definitely work hard for the fight for the fans who will watch me in the Garden. I want to keep making that statement that Nonito is to be feared. I will definitely do my best out there and show my power and speed and entertain." 

SOURCE: philboxing.com

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DONAIRE STEPS UP SPARRING THIS WEEK

WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash" Donaire (26-1, 18 KO's) steps up sparring this week in preparation for his title defense against undefeated two-division world champion Omar Andres Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KO's) at the WaMu Theater in New York’s Madison Square Garden on October 23, Manila Time in a fight to be telecast “live” in the Philippines by ABS-CBN. 

Donaire who was in New York for a press conference that was hosted by Top Rank Promotions to also hype up the much-awaited WBA light middleweight title rematch between Miguel Cotto (36-2, 29 KO's) and Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KO's) at Madison Square Garden on December 3, told the Inquirer that his weight “is coming down to 128 in time for tomorrow’s 30-day weigh-in imposed by the World Boxing Council. Everything is good.” 

Donaire said “I’m eating good and I’m training hard and by the time (Trainer) Robert Garcia is through with Margarito’s press conference in Mexico next, he’ll be training me in San Carlos” at the Undisputed Gym in California. 

Donaire said he has begun sparring and went four rounds with Bruno Escalante but “we are going to try and spar more this week when I get back and it's going to be good. We are getting into the best shape possible.” 

The bantamweight champion who won the WBC and WBO belts with a sensational 2nd round knockout of Mexican veteran Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel last February 19 said Escalante is a southpaw and provides good sparring for him and that they would bring in a couple of other sparring partners. 

Donaire said it was “great to be here in New York and I’m excited about the fight.” 

Donaire revealed that after the Narvaez fight he “I’m moving up and probably fighting in January or February and that will be good.” 

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us earlier that he plans to match Donaire against the winner of the battle between Rafael Marquez and WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka set for October 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

SOURCE: philboxing.com

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DONAIRE-NARVAEZ TICKETS GO ON SALE THURSDAY!

NONITO DONAIRE and OMAR NARVAEZ COLLIDE FOR THE WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP,  OCTOBER 22 at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN LIVE on HBO BOXING AFTER DARK® 

NEW YORK (September 14, 2011) -- World Bantamweight Champion and Top-Five pound for pound fighter NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE will make his New York debut in an exciting title defense against undefeated two-division world champion OMAR “El Huracán” NARVAEZ, Saturday, October 22, in the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Madison Square Garden, the Donaire-Narvaez world title tilt will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark, beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast.) 

Tickets to Donaire vs. Narvaez, priced at $200, $100, $50 and $25, including applicable service charges, go on sale Tomorrow! Thursday, September 15, at Noon ET, and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden box office, online at www.thegarden.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. 

"The electricity in New York fights is unlike any city. New York has long been the Mecca of boxing and when you are able to bring in one of the pound-for-pound greats, like Nonito Donaire, it is great for the sport and great for his development and marketability," said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. 

“Nonito Donaire is one of the sport’s most compelling prizefighters and we are thrilled to have him back on network,” said Kery Davis, senior vice president, HBO Sports. “Meeting undefeated Omar Narvaez in the venerable Theater at Madison Square Garden should make for an exciting night of television on HBO.” 

Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines, now living in the Bay Area of San Leandro, Calif., is a consensus top-five pound for pound fighter. He enters this fight riding a nine-year, 25-bout winning streak, which includes an IBF/IBO flyweight title knockout victory of defending champion Vic Darchinyan, and a fourth-round blasting of former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko last December. However, Donaire’s most impressive victory occurred in his last fight, on February 19, when he knocked out defending WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel in the second round, ending Montiel’s 25-bout winning streak while also claiming his third world title in as many weight divisions. Ten of Donaire’s last 11 victories have come by way of knockout. 

Narvaez (35-0-2, 23 KOs), of Cordoba, Argentina, a two-time Olympian, will be making his U.S. debut. The undefeated southpaw captured his first world title – the WBO flyweight championship – in his 12th professional fight, knocking down interim champion Adonis Rivas in the seventh round en route to a dominant unanimous decision in 2002. Narvaez successfully defended his title 16 times during his seven-year reign before vacating it in early 2010 to campaign at a heavier weight class. He won the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title in May 2010, pitching a near shutout to win a unanimous decision over Everth Briceno. Narvaez, one of South America’s most popular fighters, has successfully defended his new title three times, all by unanimous decision, against opponents who had a combined record of 54-2 when he fought them. 

Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. ET with the first bell at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

SOURCE: philboxing.com

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Mikey Garcia sizes up Gamboa as a potential foe and eyes Donaire undercard

 Former WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa kept things moving Saturday night in Atlantic City, scoring a dominant, technical-decision over former champion Daniel Ponce De Leon. Gamboa won nearly every round all on three judges’ scorecards before seeing the fight stopped due to a nasty cut on De Leon’s forehead that was caused from an accidental clash of heads in the eighth.

Undefeated with a mark of 21-0 with 16 stoppages, there is no denying the striking talent that the explosive Cuban possesses, but he has shown weaknesses in previous fights that have had a long list of potential opponents eyeing his every move. Count in Miguel ‘Mikey’ Garcia as one of those with a vested interest in Gamboa.

“I saw it,” said Garcia, an undefeated featherweight from Oxnard, California, of Yuriorkis’ latest showcase. “Gamboa is very fast, we always knew that. People were saying that it wasn't as exciting as other fights but he had a different game plan coming into the fight. He just wanted to get the fight to go a few more rounds than his last fight, which I think was stopped in the fourth round against [Jorge] Solis. He just wanted to carry the fight longer and that’s what he did.”

With former WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez’s upset loss to Orlando Salido earlier this year in Puerto Rico, Gamboa’s future in the featherweight class is now much more uncertain. After his victory this past weekend, the 29-year old told HBO’s Max Kellerman that he was done with business at 126 pounds and would instead prefer a lucrative showdown with Manny Pacquiao in the future.

Understandable aspirations for Gamboa but Garcia feels he still has matters to settle in his own weight class before venturing north.

“There are fights he could stay for at 126,”  Garcia insisted. “He could fight Lopez, which is a big money fight that people were talking about, if he can rebound and win a world title. Maybe he could beat Salido again or Jhonny Gonzalez, a fellow champion. You also have the younger guys like myself and Gary Russell coming up. We haven’t really been proven against the top champions but our opportunity will come.”

And if that chance ever does come, what does Garcia feel he would bring to the table against the ultra-talented Gamboa?

“The way I fight, I am pretty calm and patient, but I work behind my jab [and] I have a good, strong right hand that I like to use. I am taller, have a height advantage, and a reach advantage over Gamboa. If I stay on the inside, he may be faster with his combinations but I would stay on the outside and try to carry the fight into the later rounds. He’s usually very explosive in the early rounds; he didn’t show it in this fight, but in previous fights he showed that he’s very explosive, very exciting, very fast for four rounds or so. But I think I would be able to carry it into the later rounds.”

It would be a very interesting fight in my opinion, but just like his style in the ring, Garcia is in no rush. The latest word has the 23-year old in line for an October 22nd appearance at the WaMu Theater inside of New York's Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Nonito Donaire’s return against Omar Narvaez.

“The latest that I know is that they already set up that date, to give me a spot on the Donaire card. But we don’t have any opponent signed yet or anything like that. Anything can happen in boxing but that’s the date they are giving me and hopefully we can get someone for that night.”

SOURCE: examiner.com

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Bob Arum confirms Nonito "The Filipino Flash Donaire" is coming to the Big Apple

New York - Bob Arum told this Philboxing.com writer yesterday at the press conference for Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez in Chelsea Piers that Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire's next fight is confirmed for October 22 against Argentinean Omar Andres Narvaez. The fight will take place at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. 

"I think it's a very good fight and it's an opportunity to show Nonito to the Big East Coast audience," the amiable head of Top Rank told me. "I think that we'll have an enormous amount of Filipinos to come out and watch him," he added when I asked if he targets the large Filipino community that lives in the East Coast. Top Rank also plans to load the card with local talents that would attract other boxing fans in the area. Arum is expecting a huge turnout for the event and hopes that the large Filipino community in the Tri State would come out and support Donaire. "I think we'll pack the theatre. I think its five to six thousand people. I think it will be filled," an optimistic Arum mentioned. 

Arum expects the tickets to go on sale soon for Donaire's first fight in the Big Apple. It will also be his first fight in more than eight months after his spectacular knockout of Fernando Montiel to win the WBO and WBC bantamweight belts. "The prices will be very, very reasonable and we are looking forward to It." he added. He also confirmed that HBO has picked up the fight and will televise it live. It will be paired together with the initial offering of the Pacquiao- Marquez 24/7 series that night. 

Filipino fans are excited this early about Donaire fighting here in New York. I spoke to a couple of fans who were here at Chelsea Piers attending the Pacquiao - Marquez press conference and all express eagerness to support the fight and Donaire. "We will watch it and we will be there." said one fan. 

SOURCE: philboxing.com

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MAYWEATHER, ORTIZ, ALVAREZ TO MAKE PUBLIC APPEARANCES IN L.A.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Victor Ortiz and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will make public appearances over the next few days in Los Angeles as part of the promotion for their fights next Saturday.

Ortiz and Alvarez will great fans at 2 p.m. PT Sunday at Fiestas Patrias at Olvera Street in downtown L.A.

On Monday, Mayweather, Ortiz, Alvarez, Alfonso Gomez and the other pay-per-view fighters will appear at 5 p.m. PT at Universal City Walk (near The Cinemas).

Ortiz is defending his WBC welterweight title against Mayweather at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the main event of a split-site HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast. Alvarez will defend his WBC junior middleweight belt against Gomez at Staples Center in Los Angeles in the co-feature.

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