Arce out, Donaire to battle Nishioka
WBO/IBF superbantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire will face Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan at the Home Depot Center in Carson California on Oct. 13.
Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum made the announcement after Donaire’s scheduled opponent, Jorge Arce of Mexico, dropped out. Arce has been reported as saying that he wants a tune-up bout before facing Donaire and was also reported to be asking for more money.
Nishioka (39W-4L-3D, 24 KOs) is a former WBC bantamweight and superbantamweight champion. He scored his biggest win last year when he beat Mexican future Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez by unanimous decision.
Nishioka never lost his 122 lb division title in the ring but gave up his belt in search of bigger fights. He was at ringside when Donaire (29W-1 L, 18 KOs) beat South African Jeffrey Mathebula to unify the WBO and IBF titles last month.
Nishioka immediately approached Donaire after the bout and requested the Filipino for a fight.
Donaire also said in his TV interview after that bout that he considers Nishioka the best in their division and that he looks forward to fighting the Japanese slugger in the future.
