By Jason Kim: WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18 KO’s) will be looking to capture another title at 122lbs when he faces IBF super bantamweight champion Jeffrey Mathebula (26-3-2, 14 KO’s) on July 7th at the Home Depot Center, in Carson, California.

Donaire wants to pick up a couple of the super bantamweight titles to unify most of the straps while at the same time getting the best paying fights he can find, such as a bout against WBO bantamweight champion Jorge Arce. The Mathebula fight isn’t a big money fight or even close to it, but it is a way for Donaire to capture another title at 122. The more straps he wins, the more leverage he has for bigger paydays by HBO.

The 5’10” Mathebula has the height to give Donaire problems. However, he doesn’t have a lot of power or speed, and it’s going to be a real problem for him if he chooses to slug with Donaire. Mathebula will have to figure out a way to box Donaire because he won’t last long if he tries to stand and trade with him.

Donaire would have knocked out his last opponent Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. had Donaire not injured his left hand early in the fight. His left hand is one of Donaire’s best weapons, as he lands it against his opponents in the form of hooks when they come at him. But even without his left hand, Donaire was still able to punish him with his right hand enough to get an easy win.

Mathebula is just the beginning of great things for Donaire. Once he gets him out of the way, 32-year-old Arce will likely be next. From there, Donaire will either go after WBC champion Toshiaki Nishioka or he’ll defend his straps against the beat available contenders. Donaire won’t be moving up to featherweight anytime soon, because there are still too many names for him to beat at super bantamweight first.