TOP South African boxing trainer Nick Durandt says IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire?s promise of knocking out his charge Moruti Mthalane when they clash at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas next weekend, is good news to him.
Mthalane and Donaire of Philippines collide in a highly anticipated showdown in a Top Rank promoted card.
Donaire, who will bid for the second defence of the crown he won in stunning fashion when he knocked out Vic Darchinyan in five rounds in July last year, says he will go for the knockout as he always does in his bouts.
?I am ready for anything and if the knockout comes it will be extra special to me as I always aim to knock out my opponents.?
The champion nicknamed ?Filipino Flash? defended his crown in December last year when he stopped Luis Maldonado in eight rounds.
Donaire?s stoppage of Maldonado was his 12th in 20 bouts with 19 wins and a single defeat.
Durandt says if Donaire will be looking for a knockout against Mthalane it will mean the Filipino won?t run around the ring.
?We are not keen to chase him around the ring so if he says he will be aiming to knock out Mthalane it is sweet music to our ears.?
Mthalane is a pressure fighter who delivers punches non-stop and is blessed with a high work-rate.
Durandt said the clash between Donaire and Mthalane will be a slugfest if the Filipino keeps his promise of aiming for a knockout.
?Then it means fans are in for a boxing slugfest because I can tell you now Mthalane will be also aiming to take Donaire out.?
Mthalane is considered the bigger puncher of the two having scored 15 knockouts in 22 wins with a single defeat as well.
In terms of knockout percentage, Mthalane boasts 65, 22 percentage while Donaire has 60 percent. – By MESULI ZIFO
