MANILA, Philippines ? Over the weekend, Nonito Donaire, Jr. showed the world just how devastating his power can be.
The hard-hitting Donaire (24 wins, 1 loss, 17 knockouts) floored Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko thrice inside four rounds ?the first time the 35-year-old Sidorenko was ever knocked out ? on Sunday, the last one forcing referee Marcos Morales to call a halt to the contest and award Donaire the vacant WBA bantamweight title.
What lines up next for the 28-year-old knockout sensation is just what he has been waiting for so long: Fernando Montiel.
“I’m very excited. February 19 is going to be a great fight,? a very excited Donaire said right after his emphatic victory last Sunday. ?Fernando Montiel, you know that I’m coming for you,” said Donaire.
?He (Montiel) has difficulties with guys who box him,? revealed the 28-year-old Donaire, who hiked his amazing winning run to 24 in a span of 9 ? years, including his sensational one-punch knockout of Armenian-born brawler Vic Darchinyan in 2007. ?He?s a stationary who hits really hard if you?re in front of him. If you can avoid his punches, you can make it happen,? Donaire added, as quoted by Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) member Ryan Songalia in a recent post.
Donaire went on to say that he has Montiel all figured out, relaying how he intends to use his speed and accurate boxing skills to overcome the challenge of the tough Mexican.
?I think he has a problem with guys that stick their jabs and use their lengths and move in and out of his punches. He?s going to have a tough time with me.?
The 31-year-old Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KOs), who is set to face Eduardo Garcia this Saturday in Mexico, has also expressed his eagerness to face the younger Donaire in their proposed February 19, 2011 bout ? something experts note as what could be one of the most explosive bouts due next year.
?I do not know much about my opponent, but I will not underestimate him,? Montiel said of the 30-year-old Garcia (21-5-1, 9 KOs), a native of Naucalpan, Mexico who is relatively unheard of in the boxing loop. ?I have prepared thoroughly because I don?t want any surprises,? he said, as quoted by Jhonny Gonzales.
However, Montiel is looking far beyond his match with Donaire as he also eyes to get it on with Darchinyan next year.
?I know that if I come unscathed on Saturday, 2011 can be one of my best years. After I beat Donaire, I?m going to do everything to get a fight with Darchinyan,? Montiel revealed, even noting that both Donaire and Darchinyan hesitated to face him years ago.
?I?ve tried to fight him (Donaire) for years, and I hope this time he doesn?t back out. He always agrees to fight and when the time comes, he backs away,? said Montiel.
Songalia notes that both Montiel and Donaire have faced two common opponents in the past, in the persons of Rafael Concepcion and Luis Maldonado. ?Donaire scored a seventh round TKO over Maldonado and decisioned Concepcion, while Montiel knocked both out in three rounds,? Songalia writes.
Also, Donaire is currently ranked No. 5 in The Ring?s pound-for-pound rankings, while Montiel sits at the 7th spot behind him just after Thailand?s Pongsaklek Wonjongkam at No.6.
Curiously, Donaire isn?t even seeded in the The Ring?s P4P division rankings at the bantamweight class, where Montiel reigns at the top and Sidorenko at No. 10. He also lags behind in the junior bantamweight division (only at No. 4), where Darchinyan rules the top spot.
?We?re ready for Montiel,? assured Donaire?s chief trainer Robert Garcia. ?We know it?s not an easy fight, but that?s what Nonito has wanted for so long and here it is.?
Not hiding his enthusiasm and zeal to get his hands on the Mexican champion, Donaire sounded very optimistic that his fight against Montiel will surely be one that boxing fans all over the world will definitely love.
?There?s definitely a knockout coming because we?re both looking for knockouts. It could be an Ali-Frazier of the bantamweights; there?s just two different styles,? Donaire told. ?It would be a brawl.?
