On October 18th, a very interested observer will be watching the bout between Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters as WBC Featherweight Champion Jhonny Gonzalez wants next dibs on Donaire after Walters per a statement via the World Boxing Council website. Gonzalez who last week brutalized vetaran tough guy Jorge Arce stopping him in the 11th round after dropping Arce three times prior. “I would like to fight [Donaire]” Gonzalez expressed via the statement.
Gonzalez explains he wishes to return to the ring in December in the United States against another foe before a bout with Donaire. Gonzalez who is currently fighting one weight class below Donaire has left one thing vague, what weight class he would like to be fighting at? Gonzalez at 5’7” is very tall for the division and could make a resurgence at a higher weight class, but what may stop him is that he is currently a belt holder in his aforementioned division. This question was answered rather indifferently in the official statement.
Gonzalez expressed a lust to defend his belt “more than a few times” before he climbs up the ranks, so would Donaire be expected to come down in weight to face Gonzalez and would this happen if Donaire were to lose on October 18th. The opinions of many pundits are that Donaire will be the underdog coming into the bout which makes the callout slightly odd as Donaire is not in the same weight class and potentially could not merit a title shot. On the flip side, Donaire is one of the biggest ratings attractions and draws in the lower weight classes and the attentions could be strictly based on monetary gains and hoping to try to expand the brand of Jhonny Gonzalez, which could be a very difficult fight for Gonzalez who has been a streaky fighter for much of his career.
Gonzalez who scored career resurgence against Abner Mares in late 2013 scoring a historic first round knockout against a then top ten pound for pound fighter. Gonzalez praises Nacho Beristain for working with him as providing fresh inspiration especially during his climb back after losing the WBC to Toshiaki Nishioka in 2009 via TKO. Donaire would later beat Nishioka in 2012 to gain the strap at the StubHub Center (at the time known as Home Depot Center) on route to gaining the honor of being Boxer of the Year for 2012.
Gonzalez seems to view the winner of super featherweights Takashi Miura and Edgar Puerta a fight of interest or Adrian Estrella who is knocking on the door. According to the WBC rankings, Abner Mares is ranked as the #1 contender, who currently has no fight after his July win over Jonathan Oquendo. Mares has been vocal about a re-match and could also be possibility down the road as well.
Gonzalez aims to return in the United States in December.
