MANILA, Philippines – Boxing champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. is planning to climb another weight class once he gets past world bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico.

Donaire will be challenging Montiel for the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title on February 19 (Feb. 20 in Manila).

“Siguro after the Montiel fight, I think the best for me is 122 pounds (super bantamweight) so aakyat kaagad ako,” he said.

At bantamweight, Donaire only has to make the 118-lb. weight limit. It would be much easier for him to shed weight if he fights as a super bantamweight.

But he said he will have to beat Montiel first before climbing another weight class.

“He's been a champion for a long time. Alam ng mga tao, alam ng mga boxing writers na magaling ito," Donaire said.

The Filipino Flash is coming off a 4th-round knock out victory over former world champion Wladimir Sidorenko, a boxer who has never been knocked out prior to facing Donaire.

Montiel himself recently won a knockout victory. He stopped fellow Mexican Jovanny Soto in just 2 rounds.

However, Donaire said Sidorenko is a tougher fight compared to Soto.

“Hindi naman magaling ‘yung kalaban niya, hindi naman ka-level ni Sidorenko. Eh ‘yung kalaban niya ni-knockout ni [AJ] Banal,” said the Filipino.

Comparable to the older ‘Flash’

Meanwhile, veteran sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz said Donaire reminds him of another Filipino boxing star, who was also known as the “Flash.”

“Nonito reminds me so much of [Gabriel] Elorde, ‘cause he's so intelligent as a fighter,” said Nathanielsz.

Elorde, who fought in the 1950’s up to the 1960’s, held the junior lightweight division record for longest title reign that spanned for seven years.

Nathanielsz said that just like Elorde, Donaire reads his opponent’s moves well.

“He countered every move by thinking. You can't be a good boxer unless you're a thinking fighter,” he said.