FILIPINO boxer Nonito Donaire Jr. will aim for the World Boxing Council (WBC) world bantamweight championship when he battles titleholder Nordine Oubaali of France on Sunday at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
This match will be another opportunity for the Filipino Flash to become a world champion after failing to defend his WBA bantamweight belt against Naoya Inoue of Japan in November 2019.
The Talibon, Bohol-native Donaire said he was on point with his preparation for his bout against Oubaali as he hopes to collect all the world titles in the bantamweight division.
“I want to achieve many things. I have a dream which is to be the undisputed bantamweight champion, and I think I am capable of doing it,” Donaire said in an interview with Boxing Scene.
“The first step is against Nordine Oubaali this weekend. Nordine is a good fighter, but he’s never faced an opponent like me,” he added. “Without a doubt, I believe that I am capable of knocking him out.”
Even at 38, the former four-division world boxing champion said he feels great, and he could see himself fighting for five or 10 more years with one of his targets in a rematch with Inoue.
“We are going to pursue a rematch with Inoue and gather the rest of the belts (in the bantamweight division),” said Donaire. “I still feel good, and I still see myself fighting more in the coming years.”
Oubaali is also cautious despite being tipped by many as the favored one in the clash since he knew Donaire is a tough opponent with his years of experience inside the ring.
“I’m very excited that this fight is finally here,” Oubaali said in a separate interview. “I know that fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see the two best bantamweights on the planet battle it out.”
“Donaire is a legend in the sport, and I respect him a lot, but I am the champion of the world, and there is no doubt in my mind that my hand will be raised when we finally meet,” he added.
Donaire is entering the match with an impressive 40-6-0 win-loss-draw ring record, including 26 stoppage wins, while the 34-year-old Oubaali will parade his untarnished 17-0-0 card with 12 wins by knockout./PN
