MANILA, Philippines – It won?t be easy facing an opponent who?s at least four inches taller but WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. isn?t intimidated by IBF titlist Jeffrey (The Marvelous Mongoose) Mathebula of South Africa and expects to score a decisive win when they battle to unify the 122-pound throne on July 7 at the Home Depot Center in Carson City, near Los Angeles.
Donaire, 29, wasn?t at ringside for the recent Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley Jr. bout as he flew out of Las Vegas the day of the fight to return to San Carlos City where he?s training at the Undisputed Gym. Donaire broke camp in San Carlos City to attend a press conference announcing his appointment with Mathebula in Las Vegas two days before the Pacquiao-Bradley match then went back the next afternoon.
?I have a lot of respect for Mathebula,? said Donaire. ?He?s a lot taller than me at 5-10 so we?ve brought in two 5-10 sparmates to work with. I can?t take Mathebula lightly. He went 12 rounds with (Celestino) Caballero and beat guys like Julio Zarate and Oscar Chauke. Mathebula?s slick and a skilled boxer. The fight?s a big challenge for me.?
Donaire ruled out Cristian Mijares and Robert Marroquin as opponents to choose a legitimate champion for the chance to unify the WBO and IBF titles. Down the road, more fighters are being lined up for Donaire like WBC superbantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan, WBA superbantamweight titleholder Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba and Mexican fan favorite Jorge Arce.
?Right now, I?m just focusing on Mathebula,? said Donaire. ?I?m about 133 pounds at the moment so I?m on track. Fighting at the Home Depot Center is something new for me but that?s not a problem. I?ve fought everywhere and it doesn?t matter where I fight. My focus is winning by fighting my fight. I?ve got to be at my best to beat Mathebula.?
Donaire has fought only one South African so far ? Moruti Mthalane whom he stopped in six rounds due to a cut in Las Vegas in 2008. Mathebula, 32, has seen action only once outside of South Africa ? in Panama where he lost a split decision to Caballero in 2009. A Sydney Olympian, Mathebula compiled an amateur record of 101-4 and has a pro mark of 26-3-2, with 14 KOs. Two of his losses were by split decision. He has won his last three bouts, two by split decision.
Donaire is no stranger to California rings with outings in Santa Ynez, Temecula, Montebello, Vallejo, Monterrey, Anaheim and Inglewood. He has also fought in New York City, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Stateline, Reno, Connecticut, Manila and Guam. Donaire doesn?t choose where he fights. In contrast, Mathebula has fought 28 of his 31 bouts in South Africa.
Mathebula?s promoter Branco Milenkovic conceded that Donaire is the favorite but promised an upset. ?If I believe Jeffrey had no chance to win the fight, I wouldn?t make the fight,? said Milenkovic. ?I know Jeffrey will come out to win. My fighters always come out and put on a good performance.?
Before the Pacquiao-Bradley bout, Donaire said the outcome will depend on which fighter is able to dictate his own style. ?If Bradley comes straight in, Manny will knock him out,? he said. ?Everything depends on styles. Manny wants to prove a point after his last fight against (Juan Manuel) Marquez so he?ll come to fight.? Donaire was on the money. After feeling Pacquiao?s power, Bradley went on survival mode and lasted the distance.
While Donaire and his manager Cameron Dunkin were about to leave the MGM Grand Garden Arena the day of the Pacquiao fight, a fan hollered to give Rigondeaux a chance. Dunkin barked back, ?Put the money on the table, he was a $20,000 fighter last time, now he?s up to $106,000, let?s see what he?s got.? Rigondeaux, 31, saw action in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Bradley mainer and demolished Teon Kennedy in five, scoring five knockdowns in the process. The Cuban southpaw defector raised his record to 10-0, with eight KOs.
