NONITO Donaire Jr. is taking hard-punching Jamaican Nicholas Walters seriously.
Vowing to bounce back from his shocking unanimous decision loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux, Donaire Friday said he is doing everything to be ready against the less popular but highly dangerous Walters when they collide in a virtual unification clash for the WBA featherweight title Oct. 18 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
“I’m very excited for this fight,” said Donaire in a press release by Top Rank. “We are doing everything we can to be ready for everything Walters will bring.”
Donaire (33-2-0 with 21 KOs) is a world champion in four weight divisions and faces Walters after wresting the WBA super featherweight title from Simpiwe Vetyeka in Macau early this year. Walters is the WBA regular champ in the same class.
The fight serves as co-headliner in the world middleweight title fight between Gennady Golovkin and Marco Antonio Rubio which will be beamed by HBO Boxing.
Donaire’s choice of Walters, who bludgeoned Vic Darchinyan last May, has generated positive reviews for the Filipino fighter long criticized for taking on smaller foes.
But it is largely perceived to be a risky move as the undefeated Walters is two inches taller and is known for his power punches. The 28-year-old, a natural featherweight, also holds a record of 24-0-0 (20 KOs).
“This is my dream fight,” said Walters in the press release. “Time to show who is the 126-pound division champion in the entire world.”
Currently training under his father, Nonito Sr., Donaire is reportedly transferring camp to be with old trainer Robert Garcia. Marc Anthony Reyes