Donaire, currently campaigning at featherweight where he recently lost to Carl Frampton, is open to heading back down to bantamweight for the first time since 2011 in order to gain entry.
Four champions are already involved as WBA ruler Ryan Burnett, WBO title holder Zolani Tete, IBF champion Manny Rodriguez have already signed up, with WBA ‘super’ king Naoya Inoue expected to follow.
With all four likely to be seeded for the tournament, the search is now on for the other four fighters in the draw, with Donaire more than willing to apply.
“I’ll jump at that opportunity,” Donaire told THE RING Magazine. “It’ll be amazing, I’d love to be involved.
“I’ve always been the type of fighter to test himself. The tournament has the best champions and best fighters coming in. The four guys they already have, it’s mouthwatering for fighters like me. It’s like ‘Wow, this is what boxing is all about.’
Picture: Francisco Perez
“This is what fighters are made of, to fight the best out there, and they have them all in one place.”
On possible problems making the weight, Donaire assured all he’d be able to make 118 pounds easily despite the lengthy spell away.
“I’ve always been a smaller guy, I walk around a bit over 128,” pointed out the Filipino.
“It’s never been a problem to make weight and I’m naturally very skinny. I’m very excited to go back where I’m comfortable, where I’m like everyone else,” he added.
‘The Filipino Flash’ would be a great addition to the line-up if Comosa AG decide to take him up on the offer, with the likes of former world champions Lee Haskins, Juan Carlos Payano and Juan Estrada being linked to joining the big four.
