Kosport Magazine Exclusive: Donaire Confident in Zerafa’s Chances Against Lara
LAS VEGAS - Nonito Donaire may not be stepping into the ring this weekend, but he’s still in the thick of the action as he trains Australian middleweight challenger Michael Zerafa for his WBA title fight against Cuba’s Erislandy Lara at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“He’s a great fighter,” Donaire said of Zerafa. ”He’s actually the first guy I have taught and he gets it, his body gets it, and the thing was before he never had the experience that I am giving him now – all the knowledge I’m giving him. I know from seeing him and the way he was performing in all the sparring and stuff like that, he is a different Michael Zerafa and he will be devastating. He will go out there, prove himself to the world and he will be the new world champion.”
Zerafa’s opponent, Lara, is a veteran champion known for his defensive skills and powerful punches. But Donaire is confident that Zerafa will be able to break through Lara’s guard.
“If we can hit you, you may be able to block one, two, three or maybe four, but not 20,” Donaire said with a smile. “I think he [Lara] is a great fighter. That’s why we took everything in camp seriously, to be prepared in every way for this fight.”
At 41 years old, Donaire is almost a decade older than Zerafa, but he has had no trouble connecting with his student and is excited to see him become a world champion.
“[I’m] ten years older, so that’s big for boxing,” Donaire said. “But I see that we’re like brothers and we have respect for each other. Sometimes we get into each other’s faces, and sometimes we don’t. Ultimately, we have each other’s back. I’m training a lot of fighters now; this is going to be my first world champion. I know that.”
But Donaire is not just focused on Zerafa’s fight. He also has his own fighting career to think about. Despite his recent loss to Alex Santiago, Donaire is determined to continue fighting and has his sights set on breaking Bernard Hopkins’ record as the oldest man to win a world title.
“I’m still going to go for it, man. One hundred per cent,” Donaire said. “When that opportunity comes… I know Sunny Edwards was calling me out, I can drop down in weight, whatever you want, or you want to come up in weight? Let’s do it. Of course, there’s Takuma Inoue, there’s [Jason] Moloney, there’s a lot of people I’m reaching out to to get that fight.”
But for now, Donaire’s focus is on Zerafa and making sure he has the best chance to become a world champion. And while he may get nervous watching from the corner instead of being in the ring, Donaire is confident in his student’s abilities and is excited to see him shine on the biggest stage.
Short Resume:
Kosport Magazine Exclusive: Nonito Donaire is confident in his student Michael Zerafa’s chances against Erislandy Lara in their WBA title fight this weekend. Donaire, a future Hall of Famer, is also determined to continue his own fighting career and break records. But for now, his focus is on Zerafa and helping him become a world champion. Donaire may be nervous watching from the corner, but he has full faith in Zerafa’s abilities. Don’t miss this exciting fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday!
