Source: Jake Donovan, Boxing Scene
-- The message was sent loud and clear – Fernando Montiel, time to brace for Nonito Donaire.
There is still a bit of unfinished business before their February 19 superfight becomes a reality, as Montiel has a December 11 tune-up scheduled against fringe contender Eduardo Garcia.
But the unified bantamweight titlist can go into his fight knowing that future opponent certainly lived up to his end of the bargain.
In what was supposed to be the stiffest test of his young career, Donaire made it look easy in systematically picking apart former bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidirenko. The Filipino standout scored three knockdowns and beat his foe to a bloody pulp before stopping him in the fourth round of their televised co-feature Saturday evening at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.
It was clear from the outset that Donaire had every intention of making good on his pre-fight promise to become the first to stop Sidirenko. The size difference was overwhelming enough; so too was the disparity in power – Donaire threw nearly every punch with mean intentions while Sidirenko punches like he’s apologizing.
Donaire took advantage, to the point of bulling the former titlist. A combination midway through the round rocked Sidirenko and drove him into the ropes. It was a lot better than what he would experience by rounds end. Donaire scored with a left uppercut, overhand right combination to floor the Ukrainian.
The knockdown came late enough in the round to where the bell spared Sidirenko from further punishment. Donaire tried to capitalize in round two, bouncing confidently and shooting his jab while trying to create an opening for something big.
It wouldn’t come at that particular moment, but it didn’t discourage Donaire from applying the very same formula in the third. His persistence paid off, as Sidirenko was floored for the second time in the fight, this time courtesy of a counter left hook.
Things wouldn’t get any better for Sidirenko, though the good news was that he would soon be put out of his misery.
Donaire closed the show in the fourth, butchering and bloodying his older, shorter foe before finishing him off with a classic one-two. Sidirenko staggered before dropping to a knee for a delayed reaction knockdown, Referee Marcos Rosales began his mandatory eight count, but recognized a finished fighter in front of him and waved off the contest.
The official time was 1:48 of the fifth round.
With the win, Donaire improves to 25-1 (17KO) and reasserts himself as one of the very best in the sport. The talent was always evident, but the competition was lacking.
Not the case here, as Sidirenko came with stellar credentials – a three year tour as bantamweight champ, though he’s falling on hard times. This was the third loss in his last four fights as the 34-year old falls to 22-3-2 (7KO).
Meanwhile, Donaire keeps rolling. The lone loss of his career came in his second pro fight, as he extends his current win streak to nine-plus years and 24 fights.
This win was by far his biggest since his breakout performance three years ago when he stopped Vic Darchinyan in five rounds for the flyweight crown.
Donaire now has a chance to trump both of those wins with the Montiel fight up ahead. Some fighters tend to fall apart when booking big fights too far in advance. Donaire never once took his eye on the prize, instead more determined to make a statement against Sidirenko.
“I’m really motivated for the Montiel fight,” states Donaire, who will finally make his long awaited HBO debut once that fight officially airs. “I wanted to win. I was motivated enough to know that I can dominate anyone.”
Though he pretty much won every second of the fight, it still took a little longer than Donaire expected. Though he didn’t predict an early exit going into the fight, the pace of the bout once the opening bell rang led him to believe it would be a quick night’s work.
It wasn’t exactly a grueling task, but Donaire insisted that it was a lot tougher than was perhaps suggested to be the case.
“He’s a tough guy. I looked in his eyes in the first round – I always know when I hurt someone, and I knew that I hurt him, but he kept coming.”
Sidirenko eventually wilted, officially stepping out of the way and clearing a path for Donaire to truly prove his worth as one of the very best in the sport. He’s already regarded as high among the best little big men in the sport, though the only remaining dispute over were he ranks in the pecking order comes down to who he’s beaten.
Sadly, there was a considerable drop off in competition in the period in between the Darchinyan bout and Saturday evening’s contest.
His most notable win in that span was a fourth round knockout of Raul Martinez earlier last year – further proof that with the right fight and motivation, you get the best out of Donaire.
There’s no better opportunity for Donaire to showcase his A-game than what lies ahead in just over two months. To his credit, Donaire himself recognizes the fight as his chance to validate any praise that has already been heaped upon him.
“I still have to beat Montiel before I’m worthy of (pound-for-pound status), but I’m honored that anyone thinks of me in that regard.”
Source: AFP,
ANAHEIM - Filipino bantamweight star Nonito Donaire says that despite a 23-fight win streak over 9 1/2 years, only now is he finally motivated to produce his best boxing performances.
Donaire will fight for the interim World Boxing Association bantamweight crown on December 4 against former WBA champion Wladimiro Sidorenko of Ukraine with a showdown against Mexico's Fernando Montiel set for February if he wins.
"I want to make a statement of who Nonito Donaire really is," the "Filipino Flash" said Monday. "I've never really been motivated. I'm reaching the more fully me, the better me. This is finally the chance I have been looking for."
Former world flyweight champion Donaire, 24-1 with 16 knockouts, vows he will not be complacent when he faces Sidorenko, 22-2-2 with seven knockouts.
But Donaire made clear his desire to win and finalize a planned February 19 date with World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Montiel, 43-2-2 with 33 knockouts.
"When I have Montiel in my sight, as my target, I feel totally motivated. I have no fear," Donaire said. "They are going to see a different guy going in there. I'm motivated with Montiel on the horizon. This is where I want to be.
"I want to send a message to Montiel but I won't take Sidorenko lightly."
Sidorenko lost the WBA bantamweight crown to Panamanian southpaw Anselmo Moreno in 2008 and dropped a title rematch in 2009 but bounced back from his only defeats with an August decision over Tanzanian southpaw Mbwana Matumla.
"He's there to bring his name up in beating me," Donaire said. "It may be a different style than what I have seen but I have always been one to change my style to take advantage of my opponent.
"I'm really confident and working really hard. I'm in good shape. I want to be the first guy to knock this guy out and that's what I'm going to try to do."
Donaire trainer Robert Garcia has been impressed with his fighter's workouts.
"He's already sparring 12 rounds. He went 12 rounds on Saturday and I was surprised with his skills and conditioning," Garcia said. "He wasn't even breathing hard so I'm pleased with his fitness. We're not taking it easy.
"We're looking forward to getting that big date against Montiel."
Four bantamweight rivals will begin a tournament centered around the International Boxing Federation crown a week after Donaire fights Sidorenko, with semi-final bouts on December 11 at Tacoma, Washington.
Colombian Yonnhy Perez, 20-0 with one drawn and 14 knockouts, will defend his IBF crown against Ghana's Joseph Agbeko, 27-2 with 22 knockouts, in a rematch of the title fight Perez won by unanimous decision last year.
The other fight pits unbeaten Mexican Abner Mares, 20-0 with one drawn and 13 knockouts, against Armenian-born Australian southpaw Vic Darchinyan, 35-2 with one draw and 27 knockouts.
Mares, the fighter Donaire picked as the man to beat in the field, fought a majority draw with Perez last May. Donaire said he would welcome the chance to face the eventual tournament winner.
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