SPORTS SHORTS 140: NONITO DONAIRE WILL NOT UNDERESTIMATE NORDINE OUBAALI WHO GUARANTEES FIREWORKS ON FIGHT NIGHT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 May 2021
Nonito Donaire and Nordine Oubaali will finally meet in the ring on May 29 after several postponements. Oubaali will attempt at a career-best win over a future Hall of Famer, while Donaire seeks to add another victory to his colorful career record.
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The winner of this encounter will set his target on the winner of the upcoming battle between WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero against former unified champion Guillermo Rigondeaux who are set to clash on August 14.
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“Oubaali and Donaire have been preparing to face each other for at least a year now, so you know these two warriors will be ready to let their fists fly once the bell finally rings on May 29,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions.
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"Oubaali has proven himself a force at bantamweight and will have a chance to reach a new level with a victory against Nonito Donaire, who has solidified his Hall of Fame credentials by adding to his resume in recent years."
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“I’m very excited to defend my title in Carson, California. It’s a great place for boxing and I hope that people attending and watching on TV get to enjoy this fight. I’m excited to share the ring with [Donaire] and I guarantee fireworks on fight night.”
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Oubaali says he has lots of respect to Donaire as a fighter, even calling him a complete boxer, but clarifies he too will be able to make the necessary adjustments during the fight in the ring and declares that he will emerge victorious when it’s finished.
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“I have put my best effort in my preparation and you will see how I will beat him on May 29. Donaire is a legend in the sport and I respect him as a fighter but I am the world champion and I have no doubt in my mind that my hand will be raised when we finally meet.”
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Donaire answered he always comes to lock horns to give entertainment to the crowd. He says he showed in his last fight with Naoya Inoue that he still have "the skill, heart, and determination" to fight against the best in the sport.
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"I’m always working on keeping my body in shape and my reflexes on point while retaining my power. I can’t wait to show everything I can do in the ring against Oubaali.”
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Donaire, the future Hall of Famer can become the oldest bantamweight champion with a win on Saturday. He will have a date with history when he challenges Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight title in a Showtime main event.
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Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs) has fought the top fighters in different divisions from flyweight to featherweight in his professional career, but the 38-year-old Filipino legend will not underestimate Oubaali (17-0, 12 KOs).
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“He’s very technically sound. You can’t underestimate a guy like him who has that amateur pedigree and who has worn that belt on his waist,” he said.
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“We are not underestimating him. He is smart and sound, but I have the experience, the power, the speed and all the motivation to beat him. I will be looking for the knockout like I do every fight.”
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Donaire last fought in late 2019, when he put up a gallant effort in his loss to Inoue in what was adjudged as Fight of the Year. He feels the long inactivity was “frustrating at times,” but believes it also gave him time to rest fully and to study carefully southpaw opponents.
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Oubaali, the 34-year-old southpaw and two-time Olympian from Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France will make his third title defense after winning the title defeating former champion Rau’shee Warren in January 19, 2019 via a unanimous decision victory.
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He had two successful defenses against Arthur Villanueva by 6th round TKO and Takuma Inoue by unanimous decision. A pro since 2014, Oubaali’s rise up the rankings was buoyed by a stoppage victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Miranda in 2016.
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“I’m very excited that this fight is finally here,” said Oubaali. “I know that fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see the two best bantamweights on the planet battle it out."
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"Donaire is a legend in the sport, and I respect him a lot, but I am the champion of the world, and there is no doubt in my mind that my hand will be raised when we finally meet," added Oubaali.
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"I am fighting for my family and my country, and by beating Donaire, I will put my name in the history books of boxing. I am extremely motivated, and I guarantee fireworks on fight night," he concluded.
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At the 1904 Summer Olympics, seven boxing events were contested. Competitors in lighter weight classes could also fight in heavier classes.
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Oliver Kirk, winning the bantamweight and featherweight categories, became the only boxer to have won two gold medals in the same Olympics. George Finnegan, Harry Spanjer and Charles Mayer won one gold and one silver medal.
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All gold, silver and bronze medalists come from the United States. There was also a demonstration bout of women's boxing.
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The most total playoff points over a career is 7,509 points by LeBron James. James broke Michael Jordan's record of most playoff points in 2017 (5,987 points) and he hasn't looked back since. It's hard to find a player like LeBron James again and his total playoff scoring record will be very difficult to break.
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LeBron James also held the most career playoff minutes of 10,811 and counting. No player comes close to The King. A far second is Tim Duncan with 9370 minutes.
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NBA First Round Playoff Standings
Eastern Conference
(1) Philadelphia vs. (8) Washington 2-0
(4) New York vs. (5) Atlanta 1-1
(3) Milwaukee vs. (6) Miami 2-0
(2) Brooklyn vs. (7) Boston 2-0
Western Conference
(1) Utah vs. (8) Memphis 1-1
(4) LA Clippers vs. (5) Dallas, 0-2
(3) Denver vs. (6) Portland 1-1
(2) Phoenix vs. (7) LA Lakers 1-1
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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