MANILA, Philippines — Bagama’t marami ang nagsasabing laos na si Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. ay hindi pa rin binabalewala ni Carl Frampton ang dating world four-division champion.
Ayon kay Frampton, magiging maingat siya sa gabi ng kanilang upakan ni Donaire sa Abril 21 sa SSE Arena sa Belfast, Ireland.
“It’s a risky fight. Potentially I could have fought for a world title in the summer without fighting Donaire but when I do fight for a world title I want to be in a position to go and take it off a champion,” ani Frampton. “I think beating someone like Donaire is going to help me do that.”
Inihayag kamakailan ng World Boxing Organization ang pag-aagawan nina Donaire (38-4-0, 24 KOs) at Frampton (24-1-0, 14 KOs) para sa WBO interim featherweight title na magiging ‘make or break’ fight ng 35-anyos na si Donaire para muling makakuha ng world boxing crown.
Nanggaling si Donaire sa unanimous decision victory laban kay Ruben Garcia Hernandez para sa WBC silver featherweight title noong Setyembre.
Hinirang si Donaire bilang 2012 Fighter of the Year at nagkampeon sa flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight at featherweight divisions.
Matapos maisuko ang dating suot na WBO super bantamweight belt kay Me-xican Jessie Magdaleno ay umakyat si Donaire sa featherweight division.
Ang mananalo sa pagitan nina Donaire at Frampton ang maaaring humamon kay WBO featherweight king Oscar Valdez.
“I’m due a good performance but I’m expecting a very good Nonito Donaire, that’s what I’ve been training for,” ani Frampton. (RC)