The clashing of the ring generals is merely days away. On Saturday, February 19th, 2011, Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire Jr. (25-1, 17KO) will attempt to dethrone the number one contender in the bantamweight division. The opposing force is Mexico?s Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34KO), a boxer that is symmetrical by pugilistic design.
The war at 118 pounds will open a saga for potential fights with the divisions best, bringing forth a battle between Anselmo Moreno (30-1-1, 10 KO), Joseph Agbeko (28-2, 22 KO), Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KO), Yonnhy Perez (20-1-1, 14KO) and Vic Darchinyan (35-3-1, 27KO).
Within this group of superbly talented boxers, lie two fighters that are separated by the quality of their competition: Montiel and Donaire Jr. The battle for a unanimous champion lies within the next several bouts in this exciting division.
Fully prepared for this massive fight, Nonito Donaire Jr. spoke with The Digital Fight Journal?s resident coach Socrates Celestial about the coming days. A peek into the character of the pound-for-pound ranked fighter reveals why he is quickly becoming a living legend and a boxing icon. It is a stunning view of the mentality that champions foster.
Socrates Celestial: This coming fight with Montiel, would you say this is your biggest match to date?
Nonito Donaire Jr: Yes, this is my biggest fight in my career up until now. Montiel is a great fighter. He?s been the champion for a long time and I?m facing someone who knows how to go out there and makes things happen for himself. I?m in the same boat; I have the same mentality.
SC: Definitely. If we look at his career, he has gained 44 wins with 34 kayos. Stating this, his knockout percentage is very high. He has not lost since 2006 and his record alone is almost double yours and knockout percentage is higher. However, you two have never met in the ring to date. What advantages do you posses over Montiel?
NDJ: I have the speed. I definitely have the heart. I have what it takes to beat him. I think his style is made for me. The biggest advantage is the speed and height I have over him. SC: He stands at 5?4?, so we can see that you?ll have a reach advantage over him, not to mention that you do have the ability to punch lengthy punches for someone of your height.
NDJ: That?s correct and that?s the style that I have always fought with. I?m smart enough to be able to counter that way. I have the ability to not only counter, but also with speed and avoid punches as well, with that style.?
SC: Would you say that you?re fully prepared and ready for this Saturday?
NDJ: I am definitely ready for this Saturday. I?ve been sparring full 12 rounds for the last several weeks. I?m ready to go 12 rounds, but I don?t want this fight to last that long.?
SC: So what is the biggest threat that he brings to the table for your style?
NDJ: I think it comes down to experience. Experience and he has good punching power. I also have good punching power too, but his experience is something that he has an advantage over me. SC: What do you think is the biggest difficulty Montiel will have with you and your style of fighting?
NDJ: My speed, my height and my counter-punching. Overall, everything from him, I can take it. He has to come in and if he doesn?t he?ll get peppered like crazy. There?s a difference between my style and his. He needs to come in to fight and make a brawl with me. For me, with my speed and power, I can make things happen right away.?
SC: What is your best prediction for this upcoming fight with Montiel?
NDJ: I think it?s going to be an early knockout. That?s what I want to happen anyway. If it comes down to 12 rounds then I?m ready for it, but I want it to knock him out before the sixth.?
SC: We know that fighters and coaches don?t like to look beyond their present fight. However, should you pass this bout with a win, there have been many enthusiasts wondering if there will be a rematch with Vic Darchinyan. But there exists another boxer that has been rumored to be a possible next opponent and that would be Abner Mares. Would you be interested in that challenge and contending with him?
NDJ: If he gets the title between him and Joseph Agbeko, then yes. Whoever gets the title is the man I want to go after. For me, I want to spend the time with the champion. Fight the champion and unify the belt and be the champion. That?s what I want to do. Either one of them, whoever wins, I would love to fight the winner.?
SC: So it does not matter to you who you fight, you just want the number one of any division you go into?
NDJ: That?s pretty much what I want, yes. What I speak for is to see how far I can reach. I want to use my talents and put them against other talents out there. For me, I want to fight the best.
SC: Should ?Top Rank? make a move into the Toronto market, as Golden Boy is exploring their options to do so actively, would you be willing to fight in Toronto?
NDJ: I?m always willing to fight. ?I?ll fight anywhere, against anybody. I?d love to make it up there though. If they make the fight up there for me, I?m there!
SC: Is there anything you would like to say to your Canadian fans that are supporting you for this fight against Montiel?
NDJ: I would like to thank everyone for their support. Look for this fight; it?s going to be an entertaining fight, a fun fight. Mainly I just want to thank everyone out there and the boxing supporters, so thank you guys.?
The ever confident and passionate Filipino boxer still had the presence of a gentleman and the humbleness that the Filipino people are renowned for. In addition, he gives credit to his opponent, where in the past, other boxers have taken such opportunities to slander and give rise to make a fight interesting and create more appeal.
?At the strata that these masterminds of boxing work, there is no need for sideshow antics. The sweet science in its finest composition is being sold in its purest form. Fans from each nation will back the Filipino and Mexican fighters respectively. Boxers originating from the Philippines competing against Mexico-born fighters have been a recent anomaly.
Most of all, fans of boxing will support this fight, due to the prestige that it brings to the sport. The bantamweight division is quickly heating up, and the next chronicles commence with a battle between the two best competitors, rivaling for first place. This fight will be aired live on Saturday, February 19th, 2011 via HBO ?After Dark?
