MANILA, Philippines – WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. is out to make a strong statement in his fight against unbeaten Omar Narvaez of Argentina at the WaMu Theater of Madison Square Garden in New York City this Saturday night (Sunday morning, Manila) and trainer Robert Garcia assured that he will be explosive in defending his twin titles.
?If Nonito sees the opening, he?ll take him out in one round,? said Garcia. ?But he?s ready to go 12 rounds if necessary. He?s a very smart fighter. He?ll pick his punches. He?ll study his opponent and figure out what to do. If it takes five, six or seven rounds to break him down, that?s how long the fight will go. It?s a very important fight for Nonito. He?ll try to be as explosive as he can be. We know Narvaez is a tough and strong fighter. Nonito?s prepared to do what it takes to win.?
Garcia, who also trains WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios and comebacking former WBA/IBF/WBO welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito, said Narvaez could be Donaire?s toughest foe ever. ?He?s undefeated,? said Garcia. ?He?s a two-time world champion (flyweight and superflyweight) moving up in weight. He defended his (flyweight) title 16 times. He doesn?t know how to lose. He?s got lots of experience. He?s a southpaw. From what I?ve seen on film, he likes to start slow. He breaks down his opponent little by little and tries to finish off late.?
Because Narvaez is left-handed, Garcia said Donaire had to make slight adjustments in training camp. ?The only difference in training camp was we?ve had to adjust to fighting against a southpaw, even in the way we did mitts,? said Garcia. ?Everything else, we did the same. Nonito had a great camp. The staff did a very good job. Mike (Bazzel) is his strength and conditioning coach while Remi (Korchemny) is his sprint coach. He got plenty of sparring against young, fast fighters with the same style as Narvaez. We brought in guys from Colorado, California and other places.?
Making the 118-pound limit shouldn?t be a problem for Donaire, said Garcia. ?I don?t think there?ll be a problem at the weigh-in,? said Garcia. ?Of course, the last four or five pounds are the hardest to lose. But even Nonito himself told me he?s surprised at the way he?s handled his weight. He?s eating well and taking in liquids. The day before the weigh-in is when he stops the liquids and restricts his eating.?
