LOS ANGELES—Nonito Donaire is being groomed to resurface in February
or March next year with three US cities vying for the right to host
the fight.
Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas are being looked at as
possible sites after promoter Richard Schaefer revealed that talks to
bring Donaire to Manila fell by the wayside.
“There is no interest, no money there,” said Schaefer on Friday during
the formal turnover rites of a World Boxing Council Diamond belt to
Donaire at the Westin Bonaventure.
The WBC Diamond Belt is a special bet given to legendary fighters like
Donaire, a four-division champion and currently the World Boxing
Association bantamweight ruler.
Donaire had won the WBA 118-lb throne after stopping Ryan Burnett last
October in Dublin and is pegged to meet Zolani Tete of South Africa as
part of the World Boxing Super Series that will culminate with the
ultimate champion being crowned in the division.
Schaefer said a deal should be in place in two weeks.
While waiting for the confirmation of his showdown with Tete, Donaire
has been training in Las Vegas. (Nick Giongco)