Nonito Donaire waits, hopes for Fernando Montiel

By Brett Okamoto

Friday, July 16, 2010 | 5:40 p.m.

A potential bantamweight showdown between WBC champion Fernando Montiel and Nonito Donaire could come one step closer this weekend.

Should Montiel (42-2-2, 32 KO) take care of business against Rafael Concepcion in a title defense Saturday in Mexico, Donaire is expected to move up to the 118-pound division to challenge him in November.

As good as the chances appear for that fight to be made, Donaire says he’s seen too many big fights slip through his fingers in the last three years to get his hopes up now.

“I can’t really say too much about it until it’s on paper,” Donaire said. “I don’t want to be all up about it and then be devastated if it doesn’t go through.

“That’s happened a lot of times in my career.”

Donaire (24-1, 16 KO) was impressive again in his latest victory on July 10, stopping Hernan Marquez in the eighth round after experimenting with a southpaw stance through the first four rounds.

Although he was clearly happy with the victory, it’s no secret that Donaire, 27, is in search of bigger-name opponents.

Since winning his first world title in devastating fashion in a flyweight bout with Vic Darchinyan in 2007, Donaire has yet to sign another high profile fight — despite being close numerous times.

“When I fought Moruti Mthalane in 2008, (former world champion) Jorge Arce was on the same card,” Donaire said. “I was told I was supposed to sign a contract with him. Darchinyan got the contract instead.

“Then I was supposed to fight Montiel in the Philippines for the WBO title at 115 pounds and he had to pull out. I honestly don’t know how it keeps happening.”

Although Donaire has been frustrated by the lack of big fights, he’s said that three years in between has prepared him for a run that he believes could take him as high as the 135-pound lightweight division by the end of his career.

In the midst of fighting competition not up to his level, Donaire says he received a wake-up call to refocus himself on his game when he noticed his skills had declined during sparring sessions.

“When I was fighting guys who weren’t at a high level, I felt my skills deteriorating,” Donaire said. “I felt like all I had to do was get in shape and go fight.

“But then I started bringing new guys into my sparring and they made me realize, ‘Man, I’m deteriorating.’ I’ve learned from that and I’m hungry again. I’m consciously challenging myself to be better and I think since 2007, I’ve learned a lot.”

In addition to growing mentally as a fighter in the last three years, Donaire says he’s grown physically as well.

At 5-foot-6-inches, Donaire says he’s constantly aiming his jab downward at shorter opponents and says his ability to add weight following a weigh-in shows he should be comfortable moving up.

“At first, I was only looking at 122 or 126 pounds,” Donaire said. “But from the way my body frame is, I could reach as high as 130 or 135.

“In my last fight, I weighed-in at 114.5 pounds. That same night, I was 127 after eating. I had a lot of fluids in me, but to reach 127 within a few hours was an indication to me that I’m growing.”

Donaire says he’ll watch this weekend’s fight between Montiel and Concepcion, but only as a fan.

Even if Montiel wins, he’ll keep his excitement in check right up until a call from Top Rank CEO Bob Arum comes.

“I’m just going to hang out and watch,” Donaire said. “If a fight with Montiel gets made I can always go back and watch it again. I’m still enjoying my victory from last week.”

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting