MANILA, Philippines - Sa kanyang pagharap kay Toshiaki ‘Speed King’ Nishioka ng Japan, alam ni unified world super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. na lalabanan niya ang isang boxing legend.
At alam din ni Donaire na kailangan niyang ibigay ang lahat ng kanyang makakaya para manalo kay Nishioka.
“To me, Nishioka is the best. If you want to be the best, you’ve got face the best and try to make the big fights happen. If it doesn’t happen because of money or negotiations, then there’s nothing you can do,” ani Donaire. “But if you’re a fighter, then, to me, you have to find the fighters who can challenge you and who will put you at risk.”
Nagkaharap ang 29-anyos na si Donaire at ang 36-anyos na si Nishioka sa isang press conference kahapon sa Crystal Ballroom ng Millennium Biltmore Hotel sa Los Angeles, California.
Itataya ni Donaire ang kanyang mga hawak na International Boxing Federation (IBF) at World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight titles kontra kay Nishioka sa kanilang laban sa Oktubre 13 sa Home Depot Center sa Carson, California.
Mula sa kanyang kahusayan at katatagan, ikinukumpara si Nishioka sa 35-anyos na si Floyd Mayweather Jr., sa 37-anyos na si Sergio Martinez at sa 47-anyos na si Bernard Hopkins.
“Not only does he have speed, power and experience, but he’s also a southpaw. So there are a lot of factors as far as his style that I have not seen in other opposition,” ani Donaire.
Hindi pa natatalo si Nishioka sa loob ng walong taon, habang nabigo naman si Donaire na mapabagsak ang kanyang nakalipas na tatlong kalaban.
Dahil sa kanyang pitong sunod na matagumpay na pagdedepensa sa kanyang World Boxing Council super bantamweight crown, hinirang si Nishioka bilang WBC Emeritus champion.
Nakataya rin sa suntukan nina Donaire (29-2-0, 18 KOs) at Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs) ang WBC Diamond super bantamweight crown at ang Ring Magazine belt.