Filipino four-division champion Nonito Donaire Jr. will seek a fight with WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido of Mexico once he gets past Vic Darchinyan.
BoxingScene.com reported yesterday that Donaire revealed his preference for Salido just three days before he faces Darchinyan in a 10-round rematch slated Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“Salido is an incredible fighter,” Donaire was quoted as saying by the boxing website. “I have great respect for him, he holds the belt and I would like a shot at it.”
Donaire vaulted to stardom six years ago when he knocked out Darchinyan in the fifth round of their flyweight title fight in Cincinnati.
The “Filipino Flash” is eager to boost his stock after losing the WBO super bantam (122 lb) crown to Cuba’s reigning WBA titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux last April in New York City via unanimous decision.
Darchinyan told the same website he would stop Donaire this time. Mark Anthony Reyes