Donaire looms as Pacquiao’s successor

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Nonito Donaire Jr. AFP PHOTO

 

 

Philippine mixed martial arts kingpin Alvin Aguilar said that his compatriot Nonito Donaire Jr. could become as popular as Manny Pacquiao but doubt if The Filipino Flash could match the PacMan’s eighth weight divisions conquest in boxing.


Aguilar made the comment shortly after Donaire successfully defended his World Boxing Organization super bantamweight belt against Mexican Jorge Arce, whom he beat via third round technical knockout on Sunday.

“I think Donaire moves way better than Pacquiao and his highlights are always way better,” Aguilar told The Manila Times on Monday. “But surpassing or even matching Pacquiao’s eighth weight world division titles will not happen,” he added.

Aguilar even cautioned against goading Donaire to climb to heavier weight classes, “But we should not goad him to move up to a different weight class for now. He is an awesome champion and I believe he will dominate the junior featherweight class for long while,”Aguilar said.

Aguilar, one of the Philippines’ most accomplished martial artist added that Pacquiao’s feat of conquering eight world divisions in boxing is a rarity and it might take a very long time for another boxer, Filipino or otherwise to duplicate it.