DONAIRE LOOKS TERRIFIC -- ARUM
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Jun 2012
WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire who makes the first defense of the title he won from former champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr against IBF champion Jeffrey Mathebula in a unification bout at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on July 8, Manila Time, ?looks terrific.?
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum used the words to describe the four division world champion in a conversation with the Manila Standard even as Donaire continued to work out at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, California.
In what is expected to be a crucial test for Donaire, who looks to move up in weight and take on some of the best fighters in the featherweight division later on, has been sparring with taller opponents who approximate the 5?10? height of Mathebula.
Donaire?s sparring partners are Mexican featherweight Gilberto Sanchez Leon who is 5?11? tall and junior lightweight Robert Rodriguez of Clorado who is almost the same height.
Arum said Donaire was ?not just good but sensational? indicating that fights fans are going to witness Ring Magazine?s No. 4 in the pound for pound ranking at his best.
Former world champion and Donaire?s trainer Robert Garcia said that the 122 pound champion ?looks very strong and is very, very quick? adding that Donaire ?is ready.?
Garcia said Donaire is ?very strong? and has gained a lot of muscle working with Olympic track coach Remy Korchemny and James Bassel.
The Donaire-Mathebula title fight will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN Channel 2 at 10:00 a.m. on July 8.
Well known South African promoter Branco Milenkovic told us that they expect Mathebula?s ?height and reach advantage to make a difference.?
Mathebula won the IBF title from countryman Takalani Ndlovu last March 24 and returned to the gym some three weeks later . He trains three times a day and is ready to take on the highly-touted Donaire.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dableo Second in Sydney Standard Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 29 Apr 2025Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025