The time has come for Nonito Donaire to show he is ready to step outside the shadow of Manny Pacquiao.
Donaire, often regarded as the heir apparent to Pacquiao, faces an acid test Saturday night (Sunday noontime in Manila) in Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The two fighters showed their readiness for the scheduled 12-round super-bantamweight bout for Donaire?s World Boxing Organization crown when they appeared during the official weighin held at the Manhattan Beach Marriot.
Donaire, 29, tipped in at 121.6 lbs, while Nishioka, 36, checked in at 121.8.
?This is the fight that I have always wanted,? said Donaire of his fancied matchup with Nishioka, who will be fighting outside of Japan for only the sixth time in his illustrious 18-year career.
Despite the hostile surrounding, Nishioka expressed optimism that he can get the job done.
?I enjoy fighting overseas,? said the southpaw Nishioka, who is an inch taller at 5-6 ?.
Although he calls the San Francisco Bay Area as his home, Donaire has started to gain popularity in Southern California.
The Filipino-American community is expected to rally behind him although their number will just be a drop in the bucket compared to the crowd support Pacquiao receives when he headlines a fight.
Still, with Pacquiao?s retirement on the horizon, this will be the perfect time for Donaire to persuade fight fans that he is the next best thing.
Nishioka, however, said he did not travel all the way from Japan with his myriad of supporters to make Donaire look sensational.
It was during his rare appearances outside Japan that Nishioka posted some of his biggest wins.
In May 2009, Nishioka stopped the heavily-favored Johnny Gonzalez in three rounds in Leon, Mexico, to nail the World Boxing Council super-bantam throne.
More than two years later in Las Vegas, Nishioka engaged Mexican legend Rafael Marquez, younger brother of Juan Manuel, and took a hard-earned decision win.
Donaire, meanwhile, is eager to put on a show since he hasn?t been the explosive puncher and fantastic finisher that he is touted to be in his last three outings.
Given the quality and stature of his rival, Donaire said he would be more than happy to earn the judges? nod.
Of course, Donaire said he will still be on the lookout for a knockout.
