By Jason Kim: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum wants to match WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO’s) against WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KO’s) in February 2012 if Donaire can get by his next opponent Andres Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KO’s) on October 22nd at the MSG – WaMu Theater, New York, New York.

Donaire plans on moving up to the super bantamweight division in early 2012, and has already scouted Nishioka in his 12 round decision win over Rafael Marquez last Saturday night. Donaire was impressed with what he saw, saying this to examiner.com “Nishioka has speed, that’s definitely true. Not only that, he has power. He’s very powerful in both hands. What we’ve got to do is be trickier than Marquez was. Be smarter, be faster and definitely, when it comes to exchanges, I’ve got to be the stronger.”

I have no doubts that Donaire can beat Nishioka if he is able to land his left hook and straight right hand. However, Donaire is going to get hit a lot with Nishioka’s left hand and he’s going to have to be able to take those shots because Nishioka has a lot of hand speed. He’s going to be making contact with Donaire in ever round unless Donaire can take him out.

The 5’7″ Donaire has become accustomed to being the bigger fighter through most of his fights in his 10-year pro career. But Donaire won’t have much of a size advantage against the 5’6 1/2″ Nishioka, and his reach will be exactly the same. Donaire is moving up in weight and it could be a difficult adjustment for him when he realizes he’s now longer towering over all of his opponents by three to 4 inches like he usually is in his fights. Donaire’s next opponent, the 36-year-old Narvaez, is only 5’3″, and that’s pretty typical of a Donaire opponent. Nishioka won’t be one of the vertically challenged fighters that Donaire typically faces and that could make it difficult for Nonito.