Donaire Added to Cotto-Margarito; Mijares Bout a Possibility

By Mario Ortega Jr.

Sources have told 15rounds.com that IBF Flyweight Champion Nonito Donaire Jr. (19-1, 12 KOs) has been added to the highly anticipated Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito pay-per-view emanating from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 26th. While his opponent is not set, talks are ongoing with Lou DiBella, promoter of unified WBC/WBA Super Flyweight Champion Cristian Mijares (35-3-2, 14 KOs), about a possible showdown between the two champions for the fall. Donaire, who has voiced his desire to fight Mijares since he was ranked the #3 contender for Mijares’ belt last year, recently broke from promoter Gary Shaw and has not fought since a December stoppage of Luis Maldonado. Mijares was dominant in unifying the super flyweight titles with a decision victory of Alexander Munoz in May. Mijares is currently the #1 super flyweight in the world according to The Ring Magazine, while Donaire is the #1 flyweight according to the publication’s June 9th rankings. Nonito has been in the gym plenty of late while helping his brother Glenn Donaire prepare for a July 14th IBF Light Flyweight title challenge against Ulises Solis.

With Donaire on the bill, the Cotto-Margarito HBO PPV has become loaded with first rate world champions. In addition to the main event, a meeting of reigning welterweight titlists (although Margarito will have to abdicate his title beforehand), and the Donaire bout, WBO Super Flyweight Champion Fernando Montiel is slated to defend his title against four-time title challenger Jose Navarro.

Tickets for the event, promoted by Top Rank, are available online at Ticketmaster.com.

Mario Ortega Jr. can be reached at ortega15rds@lycos.com