Walters vows to knock Donaire out

MANILA, Philippines - Nicholas Walters said his first toy was a pair of boxing gloves, a gift from his father. He also loves to watch Muhammad Ali fights, saying he wants to emulate the greatest boxer of all time.

Twelve days from now, the 28-year-old Jamaican takes on Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. for another chance to show the world that he’s not just fantasizing when he thinks of Ali.

“I want to be like him (Ali), fight that beautiful and knock out as well,” Walters told www.wbanews.com in an interview from his training camp in exotic Panama.

They will dispute the WBA featherwerweight title at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on Oct. 18. It’s a tough call for both boxers fighting in the 126 lb division.

Donaire said a few days ago he’s concerned about Walters’ power. Undefeated in 24 fights, the Jamaican has 20 knockout wins in his resume.

Walters said nothing worries him at all heading to the fight. He’s certain of a victory, going to the extent of saying he will stop Donaire on his tracks.

“I am very hungry and I am confident I will defeat Nonito Donaire. I believe I will knock him out in five or six rounds,” Walters told www.wbanews.com.

Last May, at the Venetian Hotel in Macau, the 31-year-old Donaire, bleeding from a nasty cut over his eye, defeated South African Simpiwe Vetyeka via a fifth-round technical decision.

Walters was more impressive that night in Macau, viciously knocking out Vic Darchinyan, also in five rounds. It’s quite interesting to note that Donaire has knocked Darchinyan out twice.

“He says I have not fought anybody and that he has knocked out more opponents than I have, and I say, sure but none of them in 126 pounds,” said Walters.

Donaire has world titles in four weight classes, moving up from flyweight to bantamweight to super-bantamweight to featherweight.

Walters, on the other hand, has been a featherweight all his life, turning pro in 2008. By that year, Donaire (33-2 with 21 knockouts) has already fought 20 times but in the lower ranks.

“Donaire is going to realize from round one that he is in the wrong division fighting the wrong guy,” Walters also told www.fightnews.com.

This early, Walters is counting Donaire out.