Nonito Donaire: Omar Narvaez tiff could end in stoppage

AP Photo/Aaron Favila

MANILA, Philippines – “The fight could end in one punch.”

Confident without sounding cocky, Nonito Donaire Jr. Friday predicted an action-packed battle against unbeaten Argentinian Omar Narvaez in their October 22 world title date at the WaMu Theater of the Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The 28-year-old Donaire, who will fly to the Big Apple from California on Sunday, said he hopes to emulate the feats of legendary fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson and Jack Dempsey whose images—highlights of their careers—adorn the halls of the Garden.

The Filipino Flash is staking the WBC and WBO bantamweight belts he wrested from Mexico’s Fernando Montiel last February.

“I always believe that my power is enough to change the fight, regardless of how many rounds it [would last],” Donaire told Boxingscene.com.

“I have said it over and over that the most satisfying victory is a knockout victory. But if I don’t get it, I am ready for 12 rounds.”

The 5-foot-3 Narvaez, known as “El Huracan,” or the Hurricane, will be fighting at 122 pounds for the first time. He held the WBO flyweight (118 lb) crown for seven years, fighting mostly in Argentina and Europe, and relinquished it only so he could campaign in the heavier classes.

Known for his power punches and tough chin, the 36-year-old Narvaez is a former Pan-Am Games gold medalist.

Younger and taller at 5-6, Donaire said he is ready to slug it out with Narvaez and prove that the bantamweight class is just a stepping stone for bigger things in the heavier classes.

Donaire, however, admitted he’s having a hard time shedding weight. Less than 10 days before the title fight, he is still eight pounds over the limit.

Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum said they have already sold 60 percent of the tickets with prices ranging from $25 to $200 in the 4,500-seater theater.

Donaire’s trainer Robert Garcia said his ward is ready to rumble in the East Coast and that the three-hour time difference won’t be a factor.

Garcia also offered kind words for Narvaez (35-0-2, with 19 knockouts).

“He is a helluva fighter,” the website quoted Garcia as saying. “He knows how to take a fight into the later rounds and I’m pretty sure that’s what he’s going to try and do.”