NEXT STAR. Promoter Bob Arum says Donaire is boxing's next star. Photo by AP
MANILA, Philippines—Nonito Donaire Jr.’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank has pledged to make the Filipino fighter “a major star in boxing” and a pay-per-view attraction.
“I really believe that Nonito will be a major star in boxing,” Arum was quoted by boxingscene.com as saying.
“We think that Nonito is such a great, exciting fighter and such a pleasing personality that we expect, as he rises in weight to 122 and 126 and maybe above that, he will become a major superstar in the sport.”
Donaire stakes his World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council bantamweight titles against Argentinian Omar Narvaez at the WaMu Theatre of Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 22 (Oct. 23 in Manila).
Arum said the outcome of the Donaire-Narvaez pay-per-view on HBO will determine the future paychecks of “The Filipino Flash.”
“I expect [Donaire] o make the elite superstar category where he will make his money based on how many people follow him on pay-per-view,” the venerable promoter said.
Second only to Manny Pacquiao in global popularity, Donaire has a 26-1-0 win-loss-draw record with 18 knockouts, the last a sensational second-round stoppage of Fernando Montiel last February to wrest the WBO-WBC titles.
Narvaez (35-0-2 with 19 KOs) is three inches shorter than the 5-foot-6 Donaire but appears to be a good match for the Filipino.
He held the WBO flyweight belt for seven years and is fighting at 118 lb for the first time.
Meanwhile, Donaire has picked two Filipinos to sing the national anthems of the Philippines and the United States for the fight.
Tiffany Viray and Lianah Sta. Ana were chosen by Donaire from among the hordes of singers who submitted their videos to get a share of the spotlight before his bout
Donaire made the announcement during a media workout at Gleasons Gym in Brooklyn, acclaimed as the oldest boxing gym in the US.
“I want to give a huge thanks to you, the fans and media that came all the way to Brooklyn,” said Donaire on his Facebook page.
He didn’t say who between Viray and Sta. Ana will sing the “Lupang Hinirang” and the “Star-Spangled Banner.”