MANILA, Philippines – Aside from Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao and his controversial rival Floyd Mayweather Jr., there are other boxers worthy of fight fans’ attention, according to Ring Magazine.

On top of the magazine’s list is “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire Jr., who is due to fight Mexican juggernaut Fernando Montiel on February 19 (20 in Manila).

According to Ring Magazine writer Michael Rosenthal, the Montiel fight will show if Donaire “truly belongs among the pound-for-pound best fighters”.

The magazine, considered as the “bible of boxing”, ranked Donaire as the Top 5 pound-for-pound best in the world.

“The timing here is perfect,” Rosenthal said in his blog. “If he wins, the sky’s the limit. If he loses, well, then he isn’t as good as I think he is.”

Donaire is seen to have his toughest opponent yet in Montiel, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion.

Rosenthal, however, said the Filipino Flash’s recent demolition of Ukrainian champion Vladimir Sidorenko could be an indication of trouble for Montiel.

“Sidorenko is a former bantamweight titleholder and one of the best 118-pounders in the world but looked like a journeyman against Filipino-born American. Donaire simply overwhelmed the Ukrainian with his overall ability and unusual power in one of 2010’s most-impressive performances, one that drew raves from even the most-cynical onlookers,” said the boxing writer.

Rosenthal added that it will be difficult for any boxer to beat Donaire “because he doesn’t have a glaring weakness”.

“Assuming that his star continues to rise, you’re going to fall in love with the guy. He’s scary in the ring but a charming gentleman outside it. I can’t wait for Feb. 19,” he said.

Other boxers in Ring Magazine’s “to watch out list” are Sergio Martinez (No. 2), Andre Ward (No. 3) Juan Manuel Lopez (No. 4) and Saul Alvarez (No. 5).