By James Slater: One of the best fighters in the world today, Nonito Donaire, will return to action on October 22nd at The Home Depot Centre in Carson, CA. “The Filipino Flash” will face unbeaten World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-flyweight ruler Omar Narvaez. 28-year-old Donaire, a fighter who is many experts’ choice for the number 3 position in the current Pound-for-Pound ratings, will defend his WBC and WBO bantamweights titles.
Last seen looking utterly devastating as he destroyed the capable and respected Fernando Montiel – Donaire’s win coming inside just two-rounds in February of this year – Donaire has ironed out his promotional issues and is looking forward to proving his greatness again. Against the 36-year-old from Argentina, Doniare will not only be facing a southpaw, but a proven world class operator at that.
Also a long-reigning WBO flyweight champion, Narvaez will be looking to win his third world title in as many weight classes as he moves up to challenge the Filipino star. At just 5’3” Narvaez, known as “El Huracan,” will be giving away four inches in the October fight, but his pedigree is such that he cannot be written off. And after a considerable (enforced) layoff, Donaire, 26-1(18) could certainly have been given an easier opponent.
Good men such as Rayonta Whitfield, Victor Zaleta and Cesar Seda have been beaten by Narvaez, and it’s likely he could have stayed down at super-fly and continued to defend his belt there. Instead, the Argentine who turned pro way back in 2000 is going for greatness.
Is Narvaez, 35-0-2(19) too small to be able to deal with the at-his-peak Donaire? Is Narvaez too old at age 36? Will Doniare be able to get himself “up” for this challenge?
Most importantly, it is good to see one of the best, one of the most talented and one of the most exciting fighters back in the ring where he belongs. Narvaez, for my money, faces a massive uphill battle. I’d be surprised if the challenger was still there come the middle rounds.