MANILA, Philippines - Sa kanyang estado, maikukumpara na nga ba si world flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, Jr. kay Filipino world five-division titlist Manny Pacquiao?
Para kay Donaire, malaking ‘pressure’ ito para sa kanya.
“It’s big pressure, when I think about it,’’ ani Donaire sa panayam ng Funhouse.com. “And there are times when I feel I can’t push myself anymore, when it all gets to me, the expectations that everyone has. When they’re calling me the next Manny Pacquiao, that truly keeps me going. I don’t want to let anyone down.”
Ang 26-anyos na si Donaire ay isinilang sa Bohol at lumaki sa General Santos City na pinagmulan naman ng 30-anyos na si Pacquiao.
“It pushes me and inspires me to do my best and to keep looking forward, like Manny Pacquiao does. We want to make the Filipino people proud,” dagdag ni Donaire.
Kagaya ni Pacquiao, plano rin ni Donaire na umakyat sa mas mataas na weight division mula sa pagdomina sa flyweight class.
Nakatakdang sagupain ni Donaire si Rafael Concepcion ng Panama para sa interim super flyweight title sa Agosto 14 sa Hard Rock Cafe and Casino sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I think I can carry that same power at 115, 118 pounds,” sabi ng 5-foot-6 na si Donaire. “I have reached 140 before. But I want to be at least 125 when I go into that ring with Concepcion. Not too big, not too small. I want to have speed against his strength.”
Tangan ni Donaire, ang International Boxing Federation IBF) at International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight king, ang 21-1-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 14 KOs.
Dinadala naman ng 27-anyos na si Concepcion ang 13-3-1 (8 KOs) card. (Russell Cadayona)