INQUIRER Sports

ALWAYS RELISHING A NEW CHALlenge, Filipino world boxing champion Nonito Donaire intends to move up to a heavier division after one more fight in the super-flyweight class.

?I?m getting bigger, my muscles are getting bigger, so fighting at 115 pounds (super flyweight) won?t be that easy for me,? said Donaire, who bared his plan during the PSA Forum at Shakey?s UN Avenue.

?At 118 lb, there?s no need for me to reduce weight.?

Donaire is eyeing a Dec. 12 showdown with grizzled warrior Jorge Arce, granting that the Mexican overcomes South Africa?s Simphiwe Nongqayi for the IBF super flyweight crown in September.

?I want one more fight at 115 before I climb to 118,? added Donaire during the public sports program sponsored by Pagcor, Shakey?s Accel and Outlast Battery.

If a fight with Arce doesn?t materialize, Donaire said a bout with WBA super-flyweight champion Nobuo Nashiro of Japan will be next in line.

Nashiro, 13-1-0 with eight knockouts, has never fought outside Japan. He had already indicated, though, that he would fight in the United States if he?s pitted with Donaire.

A former IBF/IBO flyweight (112 lb) titlist and owner of the WBA interim super flyweight title with a victory over Rafael Concepcion last week, the 26-year-old Donaire sees himself fighting up to the featherweight class, treading the path taken by Manny Pacquiao, who has won six world titles.