In recently speaking with Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire 26-1 (18 KO?s) of San Mateo, California regarding his upcoming WBC/WBO bantamweight title defense in which he will debut at the ?Mecca of Boxing, New York City?s famed Madison Square Garden this Saturday night, October 22nd on HBO, Nonito spoke about undefeated opponent Omar ?El Hurac?n? Narvaez 35-0-2 (19 KO?s) out of Cordoba, Argentina, stating, ? I think Omar?s a great fighter. We don?t want to take anything lightly. He?s a credible fighter. He?s a legend in Argentina. We have to put that in our heads, to be aware of what he has to offer.? Even though in an interview I postured that Narvaez is perhaps another mismatch in moving up from the junior bantamweight division with no recognizable names on his resume, outside of perhaps Rayonta Whitfield, and as well that Omar has fought only a handful of times outside of his native Argentina, and never in the U.S., Donaire? opinions of Narvaez are totally understandable from the point of view that Nonito must stay focused on current matters so as to avoid any errors or slip ups on his part that could perceivably put him in jeopardy, especially with titles on the line, not to mention his reputation in moving up to the junior featherweight level and beyond to face the division?s best there. ?Our main focus right now is Narvaez, and we don?t want to falter in thinking or getting overwhelmed with everything,? stated the champion. On the other hand, ?The Filipino Flash? is currently recognized as Ring Magazine?s number 4 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, in addition to being seated in the number 1 spot at bantamweight, two distinctions I suspect there is good reason he holds. In his statements regarding Narvaez as credible, as well as a perceivable threat, ?The Filipino Flash? is either trying to stay grounded in his thoughts, or he is quite possibly under estimating his own abilities, or over estimating that of Narvaez. For all intensive purposes, in reviewing the past fights of Narvaez, Omar doesn?t measure up to the speed of Donaire, whether concerning speed of hand or foot, and as mentioned, Narvaez is moving up from the junior bantamweight level, a division Nonito dominated previous to putting his stamp on the bantamweight division, where he is currently recognized as the top dog. With only a 51% knockout ratio, one would be hard pressed in giving Narvaez the slimmest of chances at pulling off a victory over Donaire, a man who has been so dominant as of late, culminating in his recent destruction of longtime bantamweight kingpin Fernando Montiel back in February. When I mentioned to Donaire that because of his height, reach, and overall size advantage, not to mention his higher skill level, that I thought this was perhaps another mismatch, as have been some of his more recent fights excluding Montiel, and that Narvaez was at a disadvantage in moving up from junior bantamweight level, he dismissed that idea and said appropriately, ?when you make weight as a bigger guy your going to be fragile and anybody can run you over. The more you cut down in weight, the less of what you have to offer, and I?m feeling that right now with this weight class.? A main reason that perhaps this will be the last fight for ?The Filipino Flash at the 118 pound limit. For a fighter who?s confidence level has soared since knocking out Vic Darchinyan back in 2007, which was the knockout of the year, I believe to a certain extent that Nonito is unaware of his own abilities as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world when he gestures that Narvaez poses a meaningful challenge here. In this fight, there is the distinct possibility it may go into the latter rounds, or even the entire distance, as Narvaez is a rugged individual in his lasting powers, as are many an Argentinian fighter. However, if Donaire goes all out for a knockout, despite the fact that at 66% he doesn?t possess a rather significant KO ratio himself, there is also the perception that this fight will not last at all based on the defending champion?s last performance against the formidable Fernando Montiel. I feel that it will not only be in the interest of Donaire to score a clear cut knockout victory, or at least gain a technical stoppage, but I believe it to be highly probable based on the fact that performing in Madison Square Garden for the first time will be too much of an allure for ?The Filipino Flash,? to the point that he will want to make a definitive statement, in the process sending a message to all the future potential opponents who will be watching this Saturday night. Whether a KO is imminent or not remains to be seen, as once again Nonito seemed to think Narvaez is somehow going to be competitive in vying for the Filipino fighter?s titles. I don?t believe that will be the case, but it will play out shortly for all to see. In getting down to some of Narvaez characteristics and what he will have to offer once the bell rings, he has a high and tight defense, moves well, sneaks a good overhand left in every now and then, and can counter punch, and or punch with his opponents quite well, although he seems reluctant to lead for the most part. And even though I haven?t seen a bad Argentinian fighter come north, I suspect Nonito will endeavor to end things as soon as an opportunity arises, utilizing his full capabilities to do so. With an edge in hand and foot speed over Narvaez, coupled with Donaire? better overall athleticism where he uses angles and mixes his punches as well as, or better than any fighter in recent memory, I believe he will keep Omar on the defensive to the point where the Argentinian will have to take chances to get to the taller, rangier Filipino, who with impeccable timing will in all likelihood at some point land that devastating shot to catch Narvaez coming in, and send Omar back to Argentina a beaten fighter. To visualize Omar Narvaez out boxing the lankier, more agile Donaire is improbable, and the best Narvaez could hope for is to finish on his feet, which could very well happen given the rugged individual the challenger is. I am still firm in my belief that in this particular fight Narvaez will appear overmatched, and that Donaire will not get tested until he gets in with Nishioka, who I think he defeats, as well as contends with Jorge Arce, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Chris John, and WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido, as well as WBC featherweight champion Johnny Gonzalez, the latter two of these potential opponents perhaps proving to be the most formidable of those mentioned. If indeed Nonito were to remain on a winning track through the featherweight classes, then all roads will begin to point to Yuriorkis Gamboa, a mega match that the promoter of both Gamboa and Donaire, Bob Arum of Top Rank Promotions, has alluded to, perhaps to take place at 130 pounds if ever they are to meet. In reference to such a match up, the Filipino superstar stated, ?that?s something that I look forward to. I mean if he?s still on top as I go up, I?m here to fight the best out there.? In further discussing Gamboa in his last fight against Daniel Ponce De Leon this past September, Yuriorkis was quite conservative with his offense, stating in effect he needed to get some rounds in once he realized Ponce De Leon posed no threat to him. As a result, the fans who ventured to Atlantic City, New Jersey and paid top dollar to see Gamboa display his usual fireworks, were quite disappointed. I asked Nonito that if he thought he had the upper hand against Narvaez, would he try to get in some rounds being that he hasn?t been in the ring since February. He responded in dual fashion, stating that, ?sometimes it?s necessary to get in some rounds,? while on the other hand expressing that fact that, ?if we get the opportunity like we did with Montiel, were taking it as early as we can, or if he?s tougher than that we?re taking it twelve rounds. We?re prepared for that.? Even though Donaire is apparently the superior fighter, and even though getting some rounds in may cross his mind, I believe the fact that he is performing in Madison Square Garden for the very first time, will be an overwhelming allure which will provide the motivation for him to put it all out there. And when he does lay it all on the line, I suspect a KO would soon follow, to perhaps arrive in the mid to late rounds if not sooner. Tune in this Saturday night to HBO?s Boxing After Dark to see how Donaire fares, as he continues on his pugilistic journey as one of boxing?s best.
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