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[av_heading heading=’Donaire defends title vs Magdaleno ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. is confident he’ll be keeping his World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight belt after he squares off with American Jessie Magdaleno today at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Talibon, Bohol-native Donaire said that, while he respects the ability and skills of Magdaleno, he is optimistic he can keep his title belt as his opponent “is too predictable.”
“Magdaleno is very talented and he has a good amount of speed and a good amount of power,” Donaire said. “As I looked to study him he has pretty good pop and lateral movement and speed. I’m excited to be fighting him.”
“I love the challenge but I think that my experience is going to be a big, key factor,” he added. “He has never faced anyone who can punch like I do or move like I can. He’s in the big leagues now. He’s more of a textbook fighter and easy to read.”
The 24-year-old Las Vegas-native Magdaleno, for his part, said he believes he can score a win against the one-time Boxer of the Year awardee Donaire since the latter is already old and is past his prime.
“Nonito is a fighter who still has the punching power despite his age, but he will face a younger fighter who will be ready – with quick reflexes, speed and punching power,” Magdaleno said.
“I don’t think it’s going to be his night. It’s going to be mine – because I feel for this fight I’m coming in there at my best, it’s the perfect time,” he added. “I am young and I am hungry to win the championship.”
Donaire has an impressive 37-3-0 win-loss-draw ring record, including 24 wins by way of stoppages. He has won his last four matches since a defeat to Nicholas Walters in 2012.
Magdaleno, on the other hand, has a clean 23-0-0 slate with 17 KO wins. His last two victories, all by knockouts, came at the expense of Filipino boxers Vergel Nebran and Rey Perez./PN
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