Team Donaire has thought of everything, even the seemingly unthinkable: What if Nonito loses to Fernando Montiel in their long-awaited bantamweight title bout Feb. 19?
The Donaire camp expects to win, of course. Nonito, for one, says he?s taller, younger, faster and even stronger than Montiel. More-neutral observers apparently agree, because Donaire has been a 2-1 favorite in the early betting (though I believe a late surge of Mexican money will narrow the odds).
Even Donaire concedes he?s in danger. ?One mistake from me or one mistake from him, and it?s going to be over,? Donaire said this week.
Jonathan Penalosa, Donaire?s co-trainer, goes as far as to admit it?s ?close to fifth-fifty? as to who will win, pointing out a few areas in which Montiel (43-2-2, 33 knockouts) may equal or exceed Donaire (25-1, 17 knockouts).
?He?s very smart,? Penalosa said of Montiel, though not implying the champion has an edge over Donaire there. ?And he?s mentally strong,? Penalosa added, mentioning a trait Donaire also may possess (especially persevering despite hand injuries) but probably has not been forced to prove to the extent Montiel has.
Montiel, by the way, has said he expects both fighters to taste the canvas in the bout.
Penalosa conceded that?s possible. Montiel?s uncanny sense of timing is another asset he shares with Donaire.
And timing is precisely the issue. You get the feeling many concede that Montiel could win one of three with Donaire if they indeed stage a Marquez-Vasquez or Gatti-Ward-caliber series. Given Montiel?s advancing age, his best bet would seem to be the opener.
It?s smart of Team Donaire to consider that possibility. It reduces the likelihood that the unthinkable will take place.
