Philippines, 09 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BOXING INSIGHT: DONAIRE vs BEDAK


PhilBoxing.com




The luncheon at the Waterfront Hotel with Nonito Donaire Jr. and his team was delayed and ended at around 3pm, and the rest of our evening was spent with his Hungarian opponent Zsolt Bedak at the Parklane, where the brief transition of events made me realize the difference between the two prizefighters was almost as clear as night and day.

It was an informal get-together, but on our way to the buffet table, Bedak?s movements seemed to me quite calculated and businesslike, contrary to Donaire?s usual flare of flamboyance.

I asked him how he got the nickname Mr. Left Hook and he said his friends started calling him that after he had knocked out an opponent in Germany that astounded the audience and it stuck with him since. He did not mind this, but would rather be known as himself. There was almost no trace of a change in his demeanor in saying this, so I didn?t catch it as a sign of self-confidence or mere humility, only an admirable trait.

Standing opposite each other with an interpreter much taller than both of us I wondered how Bedak would cope with Donaire?s advantage over him in height and speed. I raised my arms with my hands just around chin level and nearly tapped his ribcage with my clenched left hand, and while motioning, inquired if he was going for an in-fight or be an out-boxer when the day comes, yet he shrugged these factors off as immaterial in degree. He plans to fight the Filipino both ways alternately.

Zsolt Bedak appears to be a well-balanced fighter being an amateur standout, having won medals in European championships. As an Olympian in Athens in 2004 he beat former world champion Abner Mares.


Flambouyant Donaire teaches kids the basics of boxing during his workout at the Robinson's Galeria.


Reserved and business-like Bedak (C) talks to reporters at the Parklane Hotel.

I?ve heard how many regard Zsolt Bedak as an easy opponent for Nonito Donaire. And if you?ve watched the latter?s performance against Juarez there should be no doubt of his renewed commitment to the sport after having fought it out with an unrelenting foe as he did with an injured ankle. When he first came in for the luncheon it was apparent that his reputation preceded him. He looked stronger as he?d ever been and talked about the future, even mentioned Lomachenko along the way with the savviness of a fighter who had been to the top of the rankings and knows in his own way that he still belongs there. But with the little we know about Zsolt Bedak? the less we know, the more he must be regarded as a threat. That generally did not seem the case.

Bedak fights with both arms up, with a decent defense and offense. Having a broad amateur experience he should be sound with the basics, therefore, should never be mistaken as a basic fighter. It is possible that Nonito Donaire would focus on attacking his body early on to soften up his defensive style, but it does not seem that easy to perpetrate with Bedak?s footwork. He might jab him frequently so he expects it, then he could feint this and use his lead hand for a hook, while being wary for a counter hook of his own. Donaire is the more versatile fighter of the two, but Bedak?s foundation as an amateur should serve him well too. The main concern at this time is that the weather in Cebu might drain him leading up to the fight so he shall have lost it way before the bell sounds.

If there is one thing that connects both fighters so they are not disparate, it is that they have both fought and lost to Guillermo Rigondeaux. When I asked Bedak about this, he answered me directly with his interpreter behind him, that the Cuban was his toughest bout in terms of style. He did not utter any complaint as most boxers do of his awkward fighting ways as he looked back at it objectively, exuding an impression that he had indeed lost against him in a convincing manner. He was resigned to his loss that now belonged to the past, while Nonito Donaire Jr. talked about the same thing looking forward with searching eyes, scouring for redemption. Their differences in outlook made me see clearly that night as if by day.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark F. Villanueva.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
    , Fri, 09 May 2025
  • OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
    , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025
  • Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
    , Wed, 07 May 2025
  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
    , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • "THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.