THE manager of former five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is confident a title defense against Hungary’s Zsolt Bedak on April 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines “will be a good fight,” but he hasn’t stopped pursuing the original choice, former featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich.
Cameron Dunkin told The Standard/boxingmirror.com that they are trying to see whether Gradovich is available and if not, he will pursue negotiations with the manager of Bedak, Felix Racz.
Dunkin said that while Gradovich has a 10-round non title, tune-up bout against Jesus Galicia in Valencia, Spain on Jan. 9, there is plenty of time to face Donaire since that fight is set for April 23. However, he noted that Gradovich “just wants to get his weight down” and test the waters at 122 pounds.
“If not, we’ll fight Bedak,” Donaire’s manager said.
He said he had spoken to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Donaire’s wife Rachel and that everybody is fine with Bedak.
He revealed that he received a call from Bedak’s manager, who asked him “are you serious and I said of course.”
“I’d love a fight against Donaire. My guy is ranked No. 4 and I need to get him a title fight,” said Racz, who however conceded that Bedak may not win.
Dunkin emphasized that Bedak who beat Mexico’s former world champion Abner Mares in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens is a good fighter.
“This fight (vs Donaire) will be great, We want to give Nonito a good fight over there in the Philippines,” Dunkin said.
