By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The manager of former five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire is confident a title defense against Hungary’s Zsolt Bedak on April 9 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum  in the Philippines “will be a good fight” but he hasn’t stopped pursuing the original choice, former featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich.

Cameron Dunkin told the New Standard/BoxingScene.com that “we are trying to see whether Gradovich is available” and if not he will pursue negotiations with the manager of Bedak, Felix Racz.

Dunkin said that while Gradovich has a ten round non title, tune-up bout against Jesus Galicia in Valencia, Spain on January 9 there is “plenty of time” to face Donaire since that fight is set for April 23.

However, he noted that Gradovich “just wants to get his weight down” and test the waters  at 122 pounds. Donaire’s manager said “if not, we’ll fight Bedak.”

He said he had spoken to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and Donaire’s wife Rachel  and that “everybody is fine with Bedak” and revealed that he received a call from Bedak’s manager who asked him “are you serious and I said of course.”

The manager of Bedak said “I’d love a fight against Donaire. My guy is ranked No. 4 and I need to get him a title fight” even though he conceded that Bedak may not win.

Dunkin emphasized that Bedak who beat Mexico’s former world champion Abner Mares in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens “is a good fighter and this fight (vs Donaire) will be great”. He added, “we want to give Nonito a good fight over there in the Philippines.”