CEBU, Philippines – Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire makes no secret about his desire to slug it out with IBF/WBA super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton or have a rematch with his one-time tormentor Guillermo Rigondaeux in the future but the five-division world champion said he is not, in any way, looking past Hungary’s Zsolt Bedak, whom he describes as an “intelligent and dangerous fighter”.
Donaire, now back to boxing’s elite circle after a devastating knockout loss to Jamaican banger Nicolas Walters two years ago, is set to defend his WBO 122-pound crown against Bedak in a blockbuster card that also features ALA Gym stars Mark ‘Magnifico” Magsayo and Jason ‘El Ni?o’ Pagara on April 23 at the Cebu City Sports Center.
In a recent interview by Robert Brown of OTR Boxing Radio, Donaire said he wants to face next either Frampton or Rigondaeux if ever he gets past Bedak.
“We might just fight a guy who is holding a title, it could be Frampton, or anybody who?s fighting for a title or who?s holding a title, as well as Rigondeaux because he?s the number one in the division and we?re always trying to be number one,” Donaire told Brown.
However, first things first for Donaire as he still has some business to settle in Bedak.
“We?re focusing on Bedak and going to the next challenge after,” said Donaire in the same report by Brown. “He?s definitely a dangerous fighter and we?re not overlooking anything past Bedak.” Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
Donaire knows that he must be extra careful against Zsolt, an experienced Olympian with vast maturity in the pro ranks fighting against the best out there in his division.
“He knows how to box, he knows how to use his strategy, he knows how to use his intelligence in there. Those guys are always going to be a tricky person to go in there with. He had a lot of experience as an Olympian and also as well as having fought guys and being a top contender,” said Donaire.
The two protagonists have one common opponent in Wilfredo Vasquez Jr., whom Donaire beat and Bedak lost.
But Donaire doesn’t look at it as an advantage against the Hungarian champion.
“It?s a different fight with different circumstances. We all know that fights and styles make different fights between fighters. Some people make it easy, some people make it really difficult, while on the other hand it?s vice versa. We?re not looking past anything regardless of who he?s fought,” said Donaire.
As for his preparations, Donaire said he is doing well and good and that he will be ‘beyond ready’ when the big day comes.
“Right now we are just preparing mentally and physically. We?re starting to study my opponent but mainly going all out in the gym. Then going from there, we?re going to be putting everything together with my father in the gym and getting the sparring going. We?ll be good and ready, beyond ready,” said Donaire. (FREEMAN)
