NONITO Donaire Jr. must be winding down by now in his training for his world title fight with Zsolt Bedak of Hungary.
The fight between the famed left hookers is on Saturday and I heard tickets are selling like hotcakes, making it a clash to watch at the Cebu Sports Complex in Cebu City.
As I said, Bedak looks every inch a formidable foe, what with his remarkable record of 25-1-0, win-loss-draw. Even if he has only 8 knockouts to show, still that would mean he could also kayo a foe.
But, still, Donaire remains the overwhelming favorite. If we go by records alone, the fighter they call ?The Filipino Flash? is 36-3, decorating his mark with 23 KOs.
I insist to this day that his three losses were the result of two things: 1) He took his first loss because he treated that ill-fated fight for granted; and, 2) He lacked the right mental focus in the other two defeats.
But Donaire?s old self back, Bedak could be facing the toughest fight of his life.
Thus, this early, I will say Bedak will be a lucky guy if he doesn?t get knocked out on Saturday.
Speaking of knockouts, San Miguel Beer is likewise looking for a pure kayo in its quarterfinal clash with Star in the Oppo-PBA Commissioner?s Cup.
At this writing, SMB and Star have yet to go to battle in Game 1 of their quarterfinal series, with the Beermen advancing outright with a victory.
Not to belittle Star, coached by the inexperienced Jason Webb, but pitted against a team like San Miguel Beer, the Hotshots need a mountain of miracles to get past the Beermen, the heroic All-Filipino champs.
Besides having the two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo in its roster, SMB has also a jackpot of an import in Tyler Wilkerson. Wilkerson can fire both treys and perimeter jumpers with deadly accuracy, plus he can penetrate at will.
In fact, Fajardo and Wilkerson, when all hope seemed gone for SMB against Tropang TN on Friday, combined to author SMB?s come-from-behind 104-98 victory to grab the No. 1 spot.
That win keyed SMB?s twice-to-beat bonus against Star in the dash to the Final 4.
Almost with certainty?and of course barring unforeseen blips?the Beermen?s brave bid for the Grand Slam seems on course. Anthony de Leon, the dapper Baguio Country Club GM, thinks so, too.
