MANILA, Philippines ? Though riding on a nine-year, 23-fight winning run, Nonito Donaire, Jr. has never faced someone with an illustrious career to boast since knocking out Armenian-born bantamweight champion Vic Darchinyan in five rounds in July 2007.
Now, he gets his much awaited shot at what could be an explosive contest in February 2011 against WBO/WBC bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel (43 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws with 33 knockouts.).
However, Donaire (24-1, 16 KOs) ? dubbed as ?The Filipino Flash? due to his lighting quick speed and heavy hands ? must first train his eyes on former WBA champion Wladimir Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KOs) of Ukraine if he wants the fight with Montiel to become a reality.
Donaire faces an acid test against Sidorenko in the undercard of the Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr.-Alfonso Gomez faceoff at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on December 5 (Manila time).
“I want to make a statement of who Nonito Donaire really is,” Donaire said Monday, as quoted by the Agence France-Presse (AFP). “I’ve never really been motivated. I’m reaching the more fully me, the better me. This is finally the chance I have been looking for.”
Donaire, who has moved up to the bantamweight division (118 lbs) after punishing Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez of Mexico to defend his WBA super flyweight (115 lbs) interim world title last July, has been recognized as the Philippines? next biggest name in boxing, second to eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.
“When I have Montiel in my sight, as my target, I feel totally motivated. I have no fear,” Donaire said. “They are going to see a different guy going in there. I’m motivated with Montiel on the horizon. This is where I want to be.
“I want to send a message to Montiel but I won’t take Sidorenko lightly.”
The supposed February 2011 fight got a scare recently when Montiel, the unified bantamweight titlist, figured in a motorcycle accident last October 11 during a recent visit to Alamos, Mexico. (See: Donaire-Montiel February 2011 Face-Off in Peril)
?Montiel reportedly suffered bad cuts and bruises on his legs and arms.
No fracture was observed on his left leg, where he incurred a ?very deep wound? that would require heavy bandage for almost a month, contrary to what previous reports claim??
?I had doubts. I heard various reports and figured something would postpone the Montiel fight,? said the 27-year-old Donaire, currently the No. 4 pound-for-pound boxer in the world, in an earlier interview right after news of Montiel?s accident broke out. ?We wanted to make sure, that?s why we signed a two-fight contract with Top Rank to ensure us that we are going to fight Montiel.?
Sidorenko lost the WBA bantamweight crown to Panamanian southpaw Anselmo Moreno in 2008 and dropped a title rematch in 2009 but bounced back from his only defeats with an August decision over Tanzanian southpaw Mbwana Matumla.
“He’s there to bring his name up in beating me,” Donaire said. “It may be a different style than what I have seen but I have always been one to change my style to take advantage of my opponent.
Donaire?s ability to break down an opponent?s defense has been proven time and again, but the strategy will remain the same against an equally speedy Sidorenko.
?He?s a tough fighter. He?s a good fighter,? Donaire says of Sidorenko in an earlier write-up. ?He has very good defense. He?s a shell that I need to crack and I?m just working on enabling how I can break that shell. I?m going to go in there and he?s going to be prepared for me.?
?I don?t see a lot of power in his punches. But he is a volume puncher, and when you get caught with one or two or three of them, you are definitely going to feel it in the long run,? Donaire added. ?That?s what makes him dangerous.?
Donaire was previously eyed to star in Showtime?s mini-bantamweight tournament, where the likes of IBF champions Yohnny Perez and Joseph Agbeko, Darchinyan, and Mexican Olympian Abner Mares are going to see action this December.
“I’m really confident and working really hard. I’m in good shape. I want to be the first guy to knock this guy out and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Donaire?s trainer Robert Garcia, who trained Antonio Margarito for his fight against Manny Pacquiao last week, has been impressed with his fighter’s workouts.
“He’s already sparring 12 rounds. He went 12 rounds on Saturday and I was surprised with his skills and conditioning,” Garcia said. “He wasn’t even breathing hard so I’m pleased with his fitness. We’re not taking it easy.
“We’re looking forward to getting that big date against Montiel.” (With reports from AFP)
