NONITO Donaire Jr. won?t take any chances against former Olympian Zolt Bedak in his first title defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight crown on April 23 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Donaire Jr.?s father and trainer Nonito Sr. believes Bedak isn?t on the same level as his son. However, he feels that they shouldn?t lower their guard at all.
?We can?t say, because like (Cesar) Juarez, everybody expected that it was going to be an easy fight,? Donaire Sr. told Sun.Star Cebu. ?He?s (Bedak) not that strong but we should not take any chances. I haven?t studied his style but I believe he?s an average fighter.?
Donaire Jr. should have blasted Juarez in his last fight. However, what should have been an easy fight turned into an epic war with Donaire Jr. walking out the victor by unanimous decision.
Bedak fought in the 2004 Olympics and owns a win over Mexican star Abner Mares. The 32-year-old Hungarian is 25-1 with eight knockouts and is a WBO European and Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion. He is ranked No. 4 in the WBO and 13th in the World Boxing Association (WBA).
Bedak has fought for a world title once but got knocked out in the 10th round by then WBO super bantamweight titleholder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in 2010.
Donaire Jr., 36-3 with 23 knockouts, has already started his training and will be leaving for the US, where he will hold most of the training camp, after the Philippine Sportswriters Association awards night. He has been named Athlete of the Year along with fellow boxing world champion Donnie Nietes and golfer Miguel Tabuena.
?He will return here in the second week of February. But he has already started his training in Manila,? said Donaire Sr.
The older Donaire has already lined up sparring partners for his son ? one is Frederic Bowen and the other is former world title challenger Ryo Akaho.
?I think we will train six to seven weeks here,? said Doniare Sr. ?I think we will finish training in Manila. Most likely at the Elorde Gym.?
