Next to Pacquiao — who won world titles in eight different weight classes — Donaire is the second most popular Filipino boxing champion having won title fights in four different weight classes from flyweight, bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight.
On Saturday, April 23, Donaire will defend his title against Hungarian challenger Zsold Bedak at the Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu City, Philippines. It will be Donaire’s first major world title fight in his native Philippines.
Donaire (39-3-1) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Cesar Juarez of Mexico last Dec. 11 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Donaire’s first defense of his title in the Philippines is timely because local boxing fans are now in search for a new Filipino champion who will continue to bring pride and honor to the country as Pacquiao did in his 21-year boxing career.
It will be a big challenge for Donaire but he will be fighting in his home court and everyone will be cheering for him.
According to Donaire’s father-trainer, Bedak may not survive the prevailing temperature in the country and predicted that the Hungarian challenger will give up in exhaustion later in the 12-round title fight.
Bedak (25-1-0) is on his 10-fight winning streak since his lone career loss to Wilfredo Vasquez at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico in May 2010.
While Bedak has a relatively low knockout rating of 31 per cent, he is known for winning his fights on points.
Donaire, who is also known as “The Filipino Flash” because of his quick hand speed, footwork and punching power is favored to win but there have been reports that he is not taking Bedak seriously saying the 32-year-old Hugarian has a pretty decent power and speed but he is more of a technical fighter who just want to win on points.
But in the last press conference at the ABS-CBN lounge in Quezon City, Donaire said he is taking the fight seriously and is confident he will beat Bedak on Saturday.
