Donaire wary of Walters’ power

MANILA, Philippines - On Oct. 18 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, Nonito Donaire Jr. will face an opponent who can knock anybody out with either hand.

Nicholas Walters of Jamaica is a very dangerous opponent.

“A major concern is his power,” said Donaire yesterday via Twitter, barely three weeks before the WBA featherweight unification bout.

Donaire holds the “super” featherweight title while Walters has the “regular” featherweight crown in his bag. After this fight, the winner carries both titles home.

The Filipino “Flash” won the title with a fifth-round technical decision over South African Simpiwe Vetyeka at the Venetian Hotel in Macau last May 31.

On the same night, Walters knocked Vic Darchinyan flat out in the fifth round to win his own version of the WBA featherweight title.

Walters at 28 is three years younger than Donaire. At 5’7” he is an inch taller. He’s also five inches longer with his reach of 73 inches.

Walters is undefeated in 24 fights with 20 knockouts -- a very high 83.33 percent knockout rate. He needed only 12 rounds to win his first five fights.

Donaire, 33-2 with 21 knockouts, is aware of all these, and he’s doing everything.

“Training camp is going great. We are ahead in rounds already and my dad’s happy about where we are,” said Donaire, a world champion in four different weight classes.

Donaire said he has his weight in check as he trains in California.

“I’m about eight pounds from fight weight and eating healthy,” he said.

So far, so good.