By Ryan Burton

 

Nonito Donaire recently appeared on The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com's official audio show.  The three division champion is making his super bantamweight debut on February 4th against former champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.  Donaire had trouble getting down to the bantamweight limit in his previous fight against Omar Narvaez. 

The Filipino Flash said that he came into this training camp at a lighter weight and that making the 122 pound weight limit will prove to be a lot easier than sucking down to 118 pounds.  He is eager to see how he does against Vazquez who will be the biggest opponent that he has faced in his career.

 

"I'm 124, 125 (pounds) now so weight isn't an issue and I took care of myself between fights so I came into this camp lighter," stated Donaire.  "When I first came into camp I was hitting a wall against the bigger guys (that he was sparring) and now I am handling it better.  I am stronger and faster now," he continued.

 

Vazquez lost the biggest fight of his career which was against Jorge Arce on the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley undercard.  The Puerto Rican fighter has since picked up a victory in a tune up fight and Donaire expects to face an extremely motivated Vazquez on February 4th.

 

"I expect to see the best Wilfredo Vazquez Junior.  He has excellent boxing blood lines.  I need to be smarter and be ready for anything that comes up.  I will be fighting a better Vazquez than the one that fought Arce," Donaire told The Boxing Lab.

 

Vazquez is known for his natural power but has a less than stellar defense.  Against Arce and in some of his previous fights, WV2 was willing to take a punch to give a punch.  I asked Nonito if he was willing to stand and trade with Vazquez if the opportunity presented itself.

 

"Darchinyan was also willing to take one to give one and you saw what happened to him.  The biggest guy I knocked down was a 165 pounder in sparring with big gloves and headgear.  If he wants to give one to take one then he will have to be faster than me if he wants it to work," Donaire revealed.

 

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com Follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter and tune in to The Boxing Lab, Boxingscene's official audio on Tuesdays. The show is hosted by Ernie Gabion, Luis Sandoval and Ryan Burton