By Ian S Palmer
The interim WBO World Featherweight Title’s on the line at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland this Saturday, April 21st as former world champions Carl Frampton of Belfast takes on Nonito Donaire of the Philippines. The 12-round bout can be seen live in the UK and Ireland on BT Sport and BoxNation while fans in America can catch it on Showtime’s You Tube and Facebook channels. Frampton last fought in November when he beat Horacio Garcia via a 12-round unanimous decision while Donaire’s last outing resulted in a 10-round unanimous decision over Ruben Garcia Hernandez.
The 31-year-old Frampton enters the ring with an impressive record of 24-1 with 14 Kos to his name. He’s fought 162 rounds since turning pro in 2009. The ex-Super Bantamweight and Featherweight World Champion champion stands 5-feet-5-inches tall and has a 62-inch reach. Frampton has pretty good, but not overwhelming power as his current knockout ratio stands at 56 per cent. He’s also got a decent chin, but has been on the canvas before. Frampton’s also a former European and Commonwealth Champion who enjoyed a fine amateur career.
His biggest-name opponents so far have been Leo Santa Cruz, Scott Quigg, Kiko Martinez and former world champ Steve Molitor of Canada. Frampton’s gone 6-1 with 3 Kos against current and former world champions and he’ll be facing another one in the Filipino Flash on Saturday night. Of course, he’s best known for his pair of classic bouts against Santa Cruz in which he won the WBA Super World Featherweight crown by majority decision in July, 2016 and then lost it via a majority decision in their rematch six months later.
Understandably at this stage of their careers, Frampton’s the slight favourite here, but he can’t take the experienced and powerful Donaire too lightly as he’ll be in for a pretty tough night if he does. Frampton’s a solid boxer with a good arsenal of punches and isn’t one to lose his concentration in the ring though. He’s quite accurate with his shots, doesn’t waste many of them and uses his jab to set up straight right hands and left hooks. He’s comfortable leading the way or counterpunching and his power is somewhat underrated.
Donaire is now 35 years old and will be climbing into the ring with a record of 38-4 along with 24 Kos. He’s a former amateur star who moved to America as a youngster and is 13-3 with 8 Kos in world title fights. He’s a former four-division World Champion in the flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight divisions and has won numerous regional and minor titles since turning pro in 2001. His biggest wins have been over Vic Darchinyan (twice), Hernan Marquez, Fernando Montiel, Omar Narvaez, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., Jeffrey Mathebula, Toshiaki Nishioka, and Jorge Arce
Donaire’s losses have been at the hands of Jessie Magdaleno 2016, Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2013, Nicholas Walters in October, 2014 and Rosendo Sanchez in his second pro bout in back in 2001. The only man to stop him was Walters in the sixth round a few years ago and Donaire’s proven over the years to have a solid chin. He’s just over 5-feet-5-inches tall and has a wingspan of 68 inches, giving him a six-inch edge in reach on Frampton. Donaire has boxed 255 rounds since turning pro with a current knockout ratio of 57 per cent.
Donaire needs to utilize his power and speed and make sure he lands hard enough to make Frampton think twice before attacking him. The Filipino’s good at picking off his opponents when they move into firing range and he still has the power do some damage. It seems Donaire has become reinvigorated after going through a non-motivational period a couple of years ago and has regained his passion for the sport. He still has power, but is becoming easier to hit as he ages. He can’t afford to let Frampton attack at will and needs to let his hands go whenever his opponent’s within distance.
Prediction…
This is still a great matchup even though it would have been better a few years ago when Donaire was in his prime. Donaire needs to use his edge in reach, but can’t underestimate Frampton’s power and leave himself wide open for solid counter shots. Donaire’s time may have come and gone, but this should be a close and intriguing fight with each boxer having his moments. However, I think Frampton will pull it out, especially at home in Northern Ireland.
