Donaire risks titles vs Narvaez

NEW YORK CITY—One is aching to become a pay-per-view attraction; the other is gunning for a belated shot at stardom.

Two career goals will be on the line when WBC and WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. stakes his twin crowns against undefeated Omar Narvaez of Argentina Saturday (Sunday morning in Manila) at the Madison Square Garden’s The Theatre here.

The 28-year-old Donaire, already in the world’s best pound-for-pound list, is hoping to finally break into the PPV A-list and be able to command huge paychecks like his superstar compatriot Manny Pacquiao.

“It is very important for me because I have to win and make a statement,” said Donaire, who tipped the scales at 116¼ pounds during the weigh-in Friday at the Peyton Room of Affinia Hotel.

Narvaez, dubbed as El Huracan (The Hurricane), checked in at 117 lb, which explained why the 36-year-old, rat-tailed slugger had to jog around midtown Manhattan the morning of the weigh-in.

Juan Manuel Lopez, the Puerto Rican featherweight and possible future opponent for Donaire, was on hand to witness the proceedings.

Aside from being much younger, Donaire—a three-division champ on his last gig at 118 lb—is also three inches taller at 5 feet 7 and is coming off four successive knockout victories.

Narvaez scored his last five wins by unanimous decision. The 1999 Pan Am Games champion held the WBO flyweight title for seven years with 16 successful defenses. He also made three triumphant defenses of the WBO junior bantamweight crown.

This is the first time that Narvaez will fight in the United States, mostly seeing action in his country where he lives under the shadow of the more popular Sergio Martinez.

Narvaez is touted as an underrated fighter with a penchant for battling inside and dragging the fight to later rounds.

He is also known for his tough chin and staying power with his bouts lasting an average of eight rounds.

In contrast, Donaire’s fights end by fourth round on the average. He is armed with quickness and an explosive left hook.

A natural southpaw, Donaire is a switch-hitter who has developed his right with equally lethal results.

Donaire knocked the lights out of Fernando Montiel—then acclaimed as the world’s best bantamweight—last February to take the crowns the Filipino is now putting on the line.

The San Leandro, California-based Donaire said he’s fighting his last bantam bout and willing to take on bigger opponents at 122 lb, which he hopes would bring him bigger fame and fortune.

Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said Donaire would get $725,000 for the fight. Arum is also working out a way to make him a pay-per-view attraction and to eventually boost his salary take.

HBO will carry the fight as feature of its HBO Boxing After Dark programming.

The fight, originally scheduled at Home Depot in Carson City, California, was transferred to the Madison Square Garden due to a booking conflict which Arum said turned things for the better for Donaire.

“This is an important fight, with all the attention he’s getting with the New York media,” he said.

Madison Square Garden officials reported that tickets, with prices ranging from $25 to $200, were sold out in the fabled 4,500-seater arena.