DONAIRE PREDICTS EARLY KO WIN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 18 Feb 2011
LAS VEGAS, FEB. 16 - Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (25-1, 17 KO'S) today predicted an early knockout when he battles WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando "KO-Chulito" Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KO'S) at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino Events Center on Saturday.
In an interview at a media workout at the Top Rank Gym here in Las Vegas, Donaire said "I want a knockout" and predicted the KO would come by the sixth round.
The reigning WBC Continental Americas bantamweight champion, Donaire who won the title with a masterful demolition of former world champion Wladimir Sidorenko last December 4 said "I want to do the same thing to Montiel" and indicated he is willing "to take a risk to get a knockout."
Donaire told his fans not to worry bout his making the weight since he was last reported to be some five pounds over the 118 pound limit which is also Montiel's problem since he too was some six pounds over the limit.
Donaire conceded that Montiel "is bigger because of his experience but I am bigger in size and power. I'm faster and that what make my power more deadly."
He said that while they are both friends and respect each other there is some "animosity because we both want to knock each other out."
Montiel laughed off Donaire's prediction of a knockout within six rounds and replied if that's the case he would "knock him (Donaire) out in the first round" but later in the interview backtracked and said the KO would come by the tenth round.
The Mexican who is shorter than Donaire but more solidly built said he would "go after Donaire, throw punches from everywhere and anywhere and once I hurt him I'll knock him out."
Montiel conceded that Donaire is "definitely the most intelligent fighter I have faced" but pointed out that Donaire "hasn't been there with a real fighter to find out how good he is."
The veteran claimed that Donaire "has had easy fights" even as he downplayed the height advantage of the Filipino saying " I never have problems with taller fighters although this time I am fighting an intelligent and tall fighter."
Montiel said he prepared long and hard for the fight and said he trained for Donaire "better than I did for (Hozumi) Hasegawa" from whom he won the WBC title with a stunning fourth round TKO after the Japanese had outboxed Montiel in the first three rounds using his quickness and movement to advantage.
The Sports betting line established Donaire as a solid two-to-one favorite while Top Rank promoter Bob Arum convinced the Donaire-Montiel clash has all the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate between the two best fighters in the bantamweight division.
Top photo: (L-R) WBC/WBO Bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel and two-time world champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire pose during the final press conference for their upcoming world title fight to be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Saturday,February 19, live on HBO Boxing After Dark. Top Rank promotes this event in association with Zanfer Promotions. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank.
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