The Filipino boxing legend and conqueror of four weight divisions of the age group Nonito Donaire (42-7, 28 KOs) can really try to take away the WBC belt in the second flyweight (up to 52.2 kg) next year from the pound Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada (44- 3, 28 KOs).
According to a spokesman for Donaire’s team, “The boxing teams have already held preliminary talks. The question is whether (the Filipino’s promoter) Richard Schafer can make this fight.”
The other day, Donaire surprised by challenging Estrada via social media. He retweeted a colleague’s message.
Interestingly, earlier in the WBC, the Filipino was offered to fight again for the WBC bantamweight belt – to challenge the vacant title with Australian Jason Moloney. But it is obvious that the fight with Estrada interests him much more.
The decision of the WBC looks a bit hasty, given that the belt has a current owner – the Japanese Naoya Inoue on December 13 in Tokyo will meet with Briton Paul Butler for the absolute title in this weight. In case of victory, he will immediately announce the transition to the second bantamweight and leave all 4 belts vacant.
Despite Inoue being the clear favorite, the WBC’s decision smacks of a solid disrespect for Butler.
In the summer of 2022, the WBC 53.5 kg champion Donaire met in unification with the WBA Super / IBF title holder Inoue – the favorite destroyed the veteran in 2 rounds. The loser announced new grandiose plans in boxing and was going to conquer the fifth weight category.