By Ronnie Nathanielsz
With a world title shot as motivation, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. battles former WBA champion Wladimir Sidorenko of Ukraine for the WBA bantamweight interim title on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Donaire, (24-1, 16 KOs) who is No. 4 behind countryman Manny Pacquiao in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings, has to win to forge a long awaited title shot against WBC/WBO champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel of Mexico on Feb. 19.
“I am really motivated because this is where I want to be,” said Donaire during a recent media day at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos City, California.
“You will see a different fighter coming into this fight,” added the former WBA super flyweight interim champion, who relinquished the title which fellow Filipino Drian Francisco won via a 10th round TKO over Duangpetch Saengmorakot Kokiet Gym in Thailand last Tuesday.
Donaire’s first fight as a bantamweight against Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7KOs) became the mainer of card after WBC middleweight silver champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was forced to pull out of his scheduled fight against Pawel Wolak because of the flu.
Another big fight on the card to be telecast by ABS-CBN pits WBC lightweight champion Humberto Soto (53-7-2, 32 KOs) against Urbano Antillon (28-1, 20 KOs) who was one of Pacquiao’s sparring partners while training for his WBO welterweight title bout against Miguel Cotto last year.
Undefeated lightweight contender Mikey Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs), the brother of Donaire’s trainer and former world champion Robert Garcia, clashes with Oliver Lontchi (18-1-2, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest.
In an earlier interview, Donaire said that while he is eagerly looking forward to the Montiel showdown, he is not looking past Sidorenko and is focusing on his fight this Saturday. He said he is “in terribly good physical condition and mentally well-prepared.”
