Donaire’s Best Options If Montiel Won’t Fight

It is quite understandable that someone of Nonito Donaire’s caliber and stature be pitted against the best. After a very celebrated sparring session against Hernan “Tyson” Marquez in his recent outing, Donaire should be sharing the ring with elite competition. He is, after all, in a very elite company of five of the world’s best pound for pound.

Bob Arum may have declared that it there will be a Donaire and Fernando Montiel beatdown this Novemeber. But so far, Montiel or any member of his team has yet to mention the Filipino Flash as their major option. In an article written by Examiner.com’s Ricardo Lois, Montiel wants a ring date with Vic “The Raging Bull Who Won’t Fight Filipino Flash Again Ever” Darchinyan.

"There is speculation that Nonito Donaire or Eric Morel will be next for me," according to the Mexican champion.  "But I really want Vic Darchinyan."
It would be a shame that Donaire, as good as he is, is stuck fighting bums and C fighters when he should be slugging it out with best of the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions. So in case, Montiel would do a Floyd Mayweather and refuse to pen his John Hancock on the dotted line, who should Donaire get it on this November?

Yohnny Perez (20-0-1, 14 KOs)
Undefeated in 21 fights, Colombia’s Yohnny Perez is the next best thing. He currently holds the IBF bantamweight title and is ranked #3 by Boxrec in the bantamweight division. His last three fights were against high profile opponents, namely Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko, and Silence Mabuza. A Donaire-Perez outing would be an exciting matchup, to say the least.

Wilfredo Vasquez, Jr. (19-0, 16 KOs)
 After pummeling his last five opponents, one would easily think that Wilfredo Vazquez would be a tough assignment for the Filipino Flash. The unbeaten WBO super bantamweight champion would be, indeed, a tough boxer to handle, even for someone who is as crafty and smart as Donaire. Put these two boxers together and boxing fans will surely get their money’s worth. Even if this fight won’t go the distance.

Eric Morel (42-2, 21 KOs)
The current interim WBO bantamweight champion, Eric Morel was supposed to face Montiel in the latter’s last bout but had to withdraw for various reasons, ranging from purse issues to injuries. If he can suck it up and man up to face Donaire for the interim WBO bantamweight crown, it won’t be a fight. Donaire will win for sure. But at least Morel’s got an interim belt around his waist.
Donaire has been considering a bout with Juan Manuel Lopez for the Puerto Rican’s WBO featherweight crown. The hard-punching undefeated Puerto Rican may be a mouthwatering option for Donaire, but it would be foolish for the Filipino Flash to take on Juanma at this time, considering that Juanma comfortable operates in two divisions higher where Donaire plans to move up to.