Donaire Defends title vs S African

Donaire defends title vs S African
By Joaquin Henson
Thursday, August 28, 2008

After a series of failures to book a date, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. finally sealed a deal to stake his crown against South African mandatory challenger Moruti (Babyface) Mthalane at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on Nov. 1.

It took a purse bid conducted at the IBF headquarters in New Jersey to finalize Donaire’s second defense of the crown he won by knocking out Vic Darchinyan last year.

Top Rank, representing Donaire, won the rights to the fight with a bid of $334,000. Under the 75-25 sharing rule favoring the champion, Donaire will earn $250,500 and Mthalane, $84,000.

Mthalane’s promoter Branco Milenkovic tendered a bid of $286,500 of which Donaire would’ve received a lower $214,875.

There is a slim possibility that Mthalane will refuse to fight in Anaheim as he has never fought outside of South Africa. But if he backs out, Mthalane will lose his right as a mandatory challenger.

The fight will be in the undercard of a main event featuring the rematch between WBA/IBF welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito of Mexico and Joshua Clottey of Ghana. Two years ago, Margarito scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Clottey in Atlantic City. Since the loss, Clottey has won five in a row, including a convincing verdict over the late Diego Corrales who was decked twice. Margarito was sensational in his last outing, halting Miguel Cotto last July. “I’m ready for Mthalane whenever he is,” said Donaire. “I’ve worked so hard to get the championship belt to pass up the offer to defend it. No matter where the venue is, I won’t move up in weight until I defend the title at least once more.”

In his first defense last December, Donaire stopped Luis Maldonado in the eighth round in Connecticut.

Before the purse bid, Donaire said he didn’t care where they fight but preferred to stay away from South Africa.

“I would rather not fight in South Africa,” said Donaire. “As champion, I believe it should be at least neutral grounds. But I’m not letting this opportunity go by based on location. A fight is a fight and wherever they finally lay the grounds is where I’m defending my title.”

Donaire said he had absolute trust and confidence in Bob Arum that Top Rank would win the bid. Top Rank recently signed Donaire to a three-year contract, stipulating three fights a year.

Last Aug. 8, Donaire was married to US-born Filipina taekwondo champion Rachel Marcial in a private ceremony with 50 guests in Carmel. He took 10 days off to honeymoon then reported back to the gym last Aug. 18.

Donaire weighed about 118 pounds before the wedding. He said scaling down to 112 for the title defense won’t be a problem.

Donaire, 25, intimated plans of invading the superflyweight ranks and taking on the likes of Cristian Mijares, Fernando Montiel and Jorge Arce in big-money bouts next year. But disposing of Mthalane is his only priority at the moment.

Mthalane has compiled a 22-1 record, with 15 KOs, compared to Donaire’s 19-1, with 12 KOs. The South African holds a first round knockout win over Filipino Apol Suico and hasn’t lost since he was stopped by countryman Nkqubela Gwazela in a South African flyweight championship fight four years ago. Mthalane is unbeaten in his last nine assignments.

To earn the crack at the title, Mthalane decisioned Australian Hussein Hussein in an eliminator last July. The scorecards of 119-109, 118-110 and 118-110 indicated total domination by Mthalane.

Donaire will be severely tested by Mthalane who’s a slick boxer-puncher particularly as he will not have fought in close to a year when he finally battles the South African. In contrast, Mthalane has kept busy and won’t contend with ring rust.

But Donaire said he’s out to make an impression in what could be his final fight as a flyweight. He’s determined to prove his worth as Top Rank’s latest draftee. And of course, he’ll want to show off to his bride.