by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said before Manny Pacquiao pulverized Oscar de la Hoya who quit on his stool at the end of seven rounds, that “speed kills.”  

That’s exactly how Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire feels about Pacquiao’s June 9 showdown against undefeated junior  welterweight Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley.

Donaire told the Manila Standard that because he is deep into sparring in preparation for his first WBO super bantamweight title defense against IBF champion Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa on July 7 at bthe Home Depot Center in California, he may not be able to watch the Pacquiao-Bradley fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

However, Donaire said “definitely Pacquiao’s speed is the key to him winning this fight. He’s got plenty of experience and the advantage he has is power.”

He said Pacquiao “needs to know his distance and not over commit which Bradley can take advantage of but if he (Pacquiao) is in shape as he always has he can definitely put on a performance.”

Donaire conceded that Bradley “is young, he’s hungry and if he has a good game plan it could be hard for Manny. But I think Manny’s speed, power and experience and he doesn’t over-commit that’s the key to dominating him (Bradley). ”

Meantime, Donaire was elated over the unanimous decision victory of WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes over Mexico’s Felipe Salguero, super bantamweight Genesis Servania’s 12th round TKO of former three-time world title challenger Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia and WBO No.1 Milan Melindo’s crushing 1st round TKO of former world champion Jesus Geles whom he dropped twice in the opening round.

Donaire said Servania’s win was “very nice” even as he predicted that a world title fight between Melindo and reigning champion Brian Viloria, also a Filipino, would be “a great fight.”

Donaire said he thinks Melindo “will beat Viloria by out-boxing him.”

Tags: Timothy Bradley , Manny Pacquiao , Nonito Donaire , Pacquiao-Bradley , Pacquiao vs Bradley