Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire vs. Jeffrey “Mongoose” Mathebula: Pre-fight prediction/analysis plus facts and figures

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Nonito Donaire vs. Jeffrey Mathebula fight will be on Saturday, 7^thJuly 2012 at Home Depot Center, Carson, California, United States. This fight is a 12 round bout for the WBO and IBF Super bantamweight title. 
 

Mathebula’s numbers

Jeffrey Mathebula 26-3-2 (KO 14) will be fighting for only for the second time outside South Africa. First was in Arena Roberto Duran, Panama City, Panama for a fight against Celestino Caballero which he in fact lost via split decision that was on 30^th April 2009.

Mathebula had a total of 31 fights and won 26, 14 via knockout or technical knockout and that is 45.16 KO percentage, while he boxed a total of 197 rounds.

Accomplishment/facts

During his amateur career he represented South Africa in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney as a featherweight,  defeating Noureddine Medjihoud of Algeria but lost to Bekzat Sattarkhanov of Kazakhstan.

The South African held titles in IBF Super Bantamweight Title–2012, WBC International Featherweight Title in 2005-08 and IBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Title in 2003.

Nonito Donaire figures.

Nonito Donaire, 28-1-0 (KO 18) had a total of 29 fights and 62.07 KO percentage and boxed a total of 158 Rounds.

Donaire’s resume is far more impressive, having a sensational knockout wins against the likes of Vic Darchinyan and Fernando Montiel both were feared fighters in their division.

The Filipino Flash is undefeated for more than 11 years now. His last loss was against Rosendo Sanchez in 2003.

Accomplishments/facts

During his amateur Career he won a gold medal at the 1999 US Junior Olympics championships at 106 lbs beating James Kirkland. Quarter-finalist at the 1999 National Golden Gloves at 106 lbs. He won also gold medal at the 2000 United States championships at 106 lbs.

He competed at the 2000 US Olympic trials at 106 lbs beating Ron Siler, Raul Martinez, losing to Karoz Norman and Brian Viloria. Viloria too defeated Nonito's brother Glenn in the semifinals. Donaire held world title in three weight class; WBO Super Bantamweight, WBC Bantamweight, WBO Bantamweight and, IBF Flyweight title.

Analysis/Prediction

Although Mathebula had a height and reach advantage and overall size advantage, Donaire seems has the upperhand in all other aspects.

If we look at Donaires KO percentage it only shows his power to knockout opponents. While Mathebula having more total fights fought had less than 50 percent KO rate. However it is noted that Donaire in most of his fights excluding Vasquez fought much smaller fighters.

Donaires vulnerability in this fight is his ability to absorb punches from a guy like Mathebula who is bigger and taller.

 

Technically Donaire would have the edge but given the fact that both were having good amateur experience and has the ability to adjust styles in real time during the fight would be exciting to watch.

Pacquiao’s recent loss to Bradley lost some glitter in his super shining career, is it Donaires time now to go out from Pacquiao’s shadow and come out flashing? Is this his time to be the Batman not the Robin?

I pick Donaire to have this fight in his resume being the winner by unanimous decision.

Figure/facts source: www.boxrec.com