World title challenger Nonito Donaire, Jr. thinks he is the guy to give defending flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan a sound beating.
In an interview with Fightnews, Donaire said Darchinyan has been feasting on fighters who were either washed-up or were forced to move up in weight to fight him.
“He’s a bully. He’s not really a strong puncher. He’s good at intimidating his opponent but I’m ready for that,” said Donaire a day before they left to Connecticut.
The 24-year-old Donaire will challenge Darchinyan, the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion, in a 12-round bout on Saturday at the Harbour Yard Arena in Connecticut.
While stardom looms on the horizon for Donaire should he beat Darchinyan, he just wants to focus on beating his foe before thinking of whatever lies ahead.
“I just want to win this fight. This is every boxer’s dream, to fight for the world title,” said Donaire who has a record of 17-1 with 10 KO’s.
Some feel that Donaire, christened “The Filipino Flash”, took this fight to avenge the loss of his older brother Glenn.
The 31-year-old Darchinyan (28-0, 22 KO’s) scored a 6th round technical decision win over Donaire after the Filipino broke his jaw in their title bout held October of 2006 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
“It’s not so much of a revenge thing, I want to punish him, that’s the thing,” said Donaire. “They say fighters avoid him because his strong. Well I’m the type of boxer who wants to beat fighters who are being avoided.”
Donaire said his brother will play a big role in beating Darchinyan and give the country its first world title after four years.
“He told me Darchinyan doesn’t hit hard,” Donaire said about his brother’s experience. ” And he can see all his punches. My brother got elbowed that’s why he broke his jaw.”
The Philippines still has yet to produce a regular world titleholder since superstar Manny Pacquiao vacated the IBF superbantamweight crown to campaign in the Featherweight division back in 2003.
Also helping out in Donaire’s preparation is another Filipino victim of Darchinyan, Diosdado Gabi.
Darchinyan born in Armenia but is now based in Australia, stopped Gabi in the 8th round of their title fight on March 3, 2006 at the Chumash Casino Resort, Santa Ynez, California.
The 27-year-old Gabi is currently training at the Wild Card Gym in preparation for an upcoming bout.
In fighting for the first time in the flyweight division, Donaire said weight would not be an issue but rather an advantage for him.
Donaire has been campaigning mostly in the 115lb division which is three pound above the flyweight limit of 112.
“For most boxers, losing three pounds is like losing 10 pounds. But this is an opportunity to achieve every boxer’s dream. I have the discipline and proper training to make the weight,” said Donaire. “I’ve been fighting guys that are bigger than Darchinyan. This guy he’s facing now is no baby.”
