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Nonito Donaire targeting Nicholas Walters, not Team Garcia mate Evgeny Gradovich

Nonito Donaire says he's not interested in fighting his fellow Team Garcia member Evgeny Gradovich, and instead is looking to face Nicholas Walters, if those are his options.

Scott Halleran

Nonito Donaire is looking for a featherweight title shot in his next bout, but a fight against IBF titleholder Evgeny Gradovich, who shares a trainer with Donaire, isn't on his radar. WBA "regular" titleholder Nicholas Walters, however, could be the opponent if those are indeed his options.

"We are on the same team and are both trained by Robert Garcia. We are friends and have a sort of brotherhood feeling and I wouldn't even call him out. ... Nicholas Walters isn't a problem at all."

Donaire (32-2, 21 KO) last fought on November 9, stopping old rival Vic Darchinyan in the ninth round, though he struggled badly in the fight after losing earlier this year to Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Walters (23-0, 19 KO) could be a dangerous foe, or he could be made for Donaire, but one thing is for certain, I believe: the scouting report is definitely out on Nonito, and Walters has a lot more to work with in preparation for a potential fight than Donaire does, given that there's really very little Walters footage out there. The Jamaican has shown good power, but definitely hasn't fought anyone as good as Nonito. He last fought on the November 9 undercard in Texas, beating Alberto Garza via TKO-4.

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