MANILA – Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. will square up with a new opponent in American Stephon Young in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) today at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana.
At stake in the bout, which served as the semifinals round of the WBSS series, was Donaire’s WBA world bantamweight championship, which he won over Ryan Burnett last November.
Young was announced by the WBSS as Donaire’s replacement opponent to his original foe, WBO world bantamweight champion Zolani Tete of South Africa, who allegedly sustained injury.
Donaire said that he was caught off-guard with the sudden withdrawal of Tete from the title match but understands the latter’s decision and is prepare to give his best against Young.
Naturally, Donaire, the reigning WBA champion, felt upset about the last-minute development, which he only learned just two hours before the scheduled press conference for the fight card.
“My family sacrificed, I sacrificed. I’m on weight. I’ve been training, and in the end, I am not responsible for another man’s injury,” Donaire said. “But I understand Tete’s situation.”
He added: “I’m going in there against Stephon Young and I’m going to do what I came here to do in front of the Lafayette fans, my friends and family…take my titles to the finals.”
A victory by the Talibon, Bohol native over Young will earn him the right to face either WBA regular champion Naoya Inoue or IBF beltholder Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico.
The 36-year-old Donaire will be entering the match with an impressive 39-5-0 win-loss-draw ring record with 25 stoppage wins, while the 30-year-old Young has 18-1-3 card, including seven knockout wins./PN
