By Chris Williams: WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO’s) is currently enjoying the fame that comes from knocking out the best fighter in the bantamweight division with his 2nd round knockout victory over Fernando Montiel last weekend. Donaire already has seen the benefits of the victory, as he’s been pushed to the number #3 spot in the Ring pound-for-pound rankings.

Donaire is also saying he wants to unify the bantamweight division by fighting the winner of Showtime’s bantamweight tourney. It’s likely going to be either Abner Mares or Joseph Agbecko that emerges as the winner of the tourney. Donaire will likely beat either of those guys without too many problems both of them appear to be a level below Montiel in talent. But where Donaire is likely to stumble is when he moves up to the featherweight division to face guys like unbeaten IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (19-0, 15 KO’s) and WBO champion Juan Manuel Lopez (30-0, 27 KO’s).

Both of those guys possess huge power, excellent hand speed and top notch boxing ability. They can both punch as hard with their left hand as they can their right. This means that they’ll be able to nullify Donaire’s left hooks by keeping their right hand at home while punishing Donaire with lefts to the head. This is where Donaire will likely stumble and fall and end up getting knocked out. The good news for Donaire fans is that it’s going to take a while before he steps it up and faces those guys, because Donaire wants to stop off at the super bantamweight division after he unifies the bantamweight division.

The super bantamweight division is empty of talent and Donaire should beat the paper champions that they currently have holding belts. But once Donaire rises above this weight class, his problems will rear their ugly head when he steps it up against Gamboa and Lopez. This is where I expect Donaire to get smacked back down, and will likely be forced to move back down in weight to keep from suffering additional losses.