MANILA, Philippines – WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. admitted yesterday he hardly knows what to expect from unbeaten challenger Omar Narvaez when they clash in a 12-round bout at the WaMu Theater of Madison Square Garden in New York City tomorrow night (Sunday morning, Manila).
But no matter what, Donaire said he?s ready to deal with the ?Mystery Man? from Argentina.
?I?ve seen no more than a minute of a film clip of Narvaez fighting,? said Donaire in a phone call from New York City. ?I haven?t seen him face-to-face. I?ll get a chance to size him up at the weigh-in. He?s smaller than me but he seems to be a strong fighter at bantamweight. Nobody has interviewed him since he arrived in New York City. He?s a quiet guy. He keeps to himself. From what I?m told, he?s capable of coming forward or fighting slick. I?m ready for anything. I?ll take advantage of whatever he gives me.?
Donaire, 28, said he?ll try to be as explosive as he was in knocking out Vic Darchinyan and Fernando Montiel.
?I want to sustain the momentum from the Montiel fight,? he said. ?In every fight, I want to be more exciting, more convincing. Whether I win by knockout or decision, it must be convincing. I don?t want to disappoint the fans. I?m definitely stronger at 118 than 115. But this is my last fight as a bantamweight. I?m ready to move up to 122 where I think I?ll be more comfortable.?
Donaire shrugged off speculation that he?ll be weak for the fight because of dropping down to make the weight limit. ?I feel great,? he said. ?I?m about four or five pounds over the limit right now. Making the weight won?t be a problem. I know my body.?
