Philippines, 06 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DONAIRE EXPECTS MATHEBULA TO STAND AND FIGHT


PhilBoxing.com



Mathebula.
WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire expects IBF champion Jeffrey ?Mongoose? Mathebula of South Africa to stand and fight when they clash in a unification title bout at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on July 8, Manila Time.

Fight tapes of Mathebula who won the IBF title by a twelve round split decision in a rematch with Takalani Ndlovu last March 24 shows he is unlike two-division champion Omar Andres Narvaez who backpedaled all night against Donaire at New York?s famed Madison Square Garden and lost by a shutout that had fans booing in the middle rounds.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said ?the video we?ve seen of Mathebula shows he is a fighter that engages. He comes to fight.?

Filipino fight fans will get a chance to watch the IBF champion in his title winning fight against Takalani Ndlovu on Viva Sports ?The Main Event? on Sunday, July 1 at 11:00 a.m. on AKTV IBC 13 courtesy of Mathebula?s well-known promoter Branco Milenkovic.

Arum feels that Mathebula is the kind of fighter who will bring out the best in pound for pound No. 4 ranked Donaire who will be facing a taller opponent for the first time as the IBF champion stands 5?10? to Donaire who is 5?7?.

Mathebula has said he plans to use his height and reach advantage in the fight which has apparently made Donaire?s manager Cameron Dunkin very nervous.

However, Donaire?s trainer and former world champion Robert Garcia told the Manila Standard he is not worried because Donaire prefers to fight taller opponents.

Donaire himself told us he has never trained harder for a fight because Mathebula is somewhat of an unknown quantity and he doesn?t know what to expect.

Undefeated Filipino Mercito ?No Mercy? Gesta, his father Anecito and co-manager and trainer Vince Parra will be at ringside to watch the fight and support Donaire and so will be a large number of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans living in California.

Arum said that WBC super champion Toshiaki Nishioka who has been mentioned as a possible future opponent for Donaire will also be at ringside to check out Donaire.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland!
    , Wed, 06 May 2026
  • Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026
  • Yanong arrives in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Mon, 04 May 2026
  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.