Donaire vs Mathebula : Donaire sees Mathebula as a great fighter
Donaire’s manager Cameron Dunkin said this to ESPN “It’s a fight that Nonito asked for. Nonito thought this guy was a great fighter and would push him to the limit.”
Donaire said “I want something that will fire me up and this guy presents me with a challenge.”
It sounds like Donaire wanted someone that is tailor made for him and will rush forward so that he can pick him off like he did against the wide open Vic Darchinyan in Donaire’s 5th round TKO win in July 2007. Donaire hasn’t had any easy marks lately, as he’s fought two boxer/punchers in Omar Narvaez and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Donaire has looked awful in both fights. Now it looks like Donaire wants a guaranteed wide open fighter that will enable him to land his shots.
I’ve seen several of Mathebula’s fights, and I agree that he makes it exciting, but I think he’s a very limited fighter, a step below Narvaez and Vazquez Jr. Mathebula does hold down the IBF title right now at super bantamweight, but I see him as a paper champion rather than a genuine champ.
