DONAIRE TO FINALLY FACE IBF CHAMPION MATHEBULA IN UNIFICATION BOUT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 22 May 2012
WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire will finally face newly crowned IBF super bantamweight champion Jeffrey Mathebula at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Arum had earlier indicated that Mijares had been picked over Mathebula but apparently had a change of heart because of the opportunity for a unification bout.
Mathebula is handled by well known South African promoter Branco Milenkovic who for some time has been talking to Top Rank?s Carl Moretti about a possible unification title fight against Donaire.
Donaire who began training last week at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas and felt so good that he even sparred four rounds earlier told the Manila Standard he doesn?t care who they put in front of him, he?ll ?take them down one by one.?
Milenkovic told the Manila Standard that Mathebula was one of his four IBF champions and they are keenly looking forward to fighting Donaire.
Branco noted that Mathebula will be his second fighter to face Donaire after current IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane lost by a 6th round TKO after the referee stopped the fight due to Mathalane suffering a bad cut and a bloodied nose.
Milenkovic said that ?based on Moruti?s performance against Donaire without doubt Jeffrey will have a better chance as he is bigger and stronger? than Mthalane.
He said this will be Mathebula?s second attempt to unify the title having dropped a split decision in an unification title bout against Celestino Caballero in Panama which he claimed was a ?robbery? and the media in Panama ? crucified the officials.?
At the same time Milenkovic downplayed the value of a title defense by Donaire against former world champion Cristian Mijares saying ?No disrespect to Mijares but in my opinion his best days are past. While he (Mijares) is the Silver champion, Jeffrey is a legitimate IBF champion.?
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