JAMAICAN & DONAIRE CLASH FOR WBA CROWN SATURDAY
Las Vegas, NV– The co-feature of the middleweight (160 lbs.) title clash between Gennady Golovkin & Marco Antonio Rubio is what many expect to be the best featherweight (126 lb.) clash of the year. The victor would be considered by most as the man to beat in the division. At the Stub Hub Center in Carson, CA and live on HBO, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (33-2, 21 KOs) defends his WBA “Super” featherweight championship against WBA “Regular” champion Nicholas Walters (24-0, 20 KOs) of Jamaica.
Walters-photo credit-Boxrec.com
To not confuse things any further, the Filipino is the champion by beating Simpiwe Vetyeka (26-3, 16 KOs) who bested longtime champ Christopher John. Walters has a paper title here. That may change after Saturday night. Ironically the challenger is slightly favored in what is perceived as an evenly matched affair.
ISLE OF JAMAICA HAD DOMINANT CHAMPS
When it comes to athletes in Jamaica you mainly think of track stars such as multiple Olympic Gold medal champion sprinter Usain Bolt. Jamaica however has had its share of world champions whether being Jamaican born or of Jamaican heritage. Mike McCallum (49-5-1, 36 KOs), a former 154, 160 and 175 lb. champion, “The Body Snatcher” is probably the best in the history of the nation. As well as earning multiple titles, Mike is enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“BODY SNATCHER” SCARED BIG NAMES OF DECADE
In the 80’s he was probably the most avoided fighter in the sport, never getting the opportunity to fight all-time greats Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Ray Leonard or Marvin Hagler. Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, while not born in the country is of Jamaican descent.
JOHNSON WAS “FIGHTER OF THE YEAR”
Other notable fighters with the Jamaican connection are former 175 lb. king and Boxing Writers of America 2004 Fighter of The Year Glen Johnson, as well as former welterweight (147) champions Simon Brown and Lloyd Honeyghan. Almost in a Honeyghan situation is Walters is in as Donaire is in a Donald Curry-like position when Honeyghan thrashed him at Caesars Atlantic City in 1986.
NONITO APPEARS MORE VULNERABLE OF LATE
Donaire has been lackluster in his last few outings, and labored most of his career at the lower weights as a former 112, 118 and 122lb champion. He lost his recognition as the premier 122 lb. titles in a very uninspiring effort against Guillermo Rigondeuax (14-0, 9 KOs) in 2013. The 2012 Boxing Writers of America Fighter of The Year had to come from behind to score a knockout over Vic Darchinyan (39-7-1, 28 KOs) last November.
NOT SO BAD PERFORMANCE OVER CHRIS JOHN KILLER
In his last outing Nonito won a controversial Technical Decision 5 (unintentional butt caused Donaire to be cut) over Simpiwe Vetyeka (26-3, 16 KOs) to capture the WBA title he is defending against Walters. As for Darchinyan, Nicolas Walters thrashed Vic inside of five rounds last time out.
WALTERS A MUCH BIGGER MAN
Walters looks to have some clear advantages over Donaire. A career featherweight with good skills and power in both hands, having stopped his last four opponents in impressive fashion. Who wins here? Has the one time 112 lb. champ Donaire the upper body strength to keep the Jamaican from overpowering him?
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-KEVIN PERRY