‘Donaire can be beaten’

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ALTHOUGH he is facing one of the best boxers in the world, pound-for-pound, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. is convinced that Filipino boxing superstar Nonito Doanire Jr. isn't
invincible.

“(Donaire) is a great athlete, but not a superhero like they want him to be. But he's humble and demonstrated good vibes when we met. He's earned what he has but anyone can be beat,” the 27-year-old son of Puerto Rican legend Wilfredo Vazquez told Boxingscene.com.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Vazquez Jr. and Donaire Jr. are fighting for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight crown, vacated by erstwhile titleholder Jorge Arce, on Sunday (RP time) at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

“It's a challenge, no question,” said Vazquez Jr. “But it's also a great chance to demonstrate what I'm capable of. What is most important is that I get the chance to fight for my title, which belongs to me.”

Vazquez Jr. once held the WBO super bantamweight crown after capturing the vacant belt in 2010 with a fourth round knockout over Filipino former world champion Marvin Sonsona in Puerto Rico. He defended the belt twice by stopping Zsolt Bedak and Ivan Hernandez, whom he both stopped. However, he lost it to rejuvenated veteran Jorge Arce from a come-from-behind 12th round technical knockout last year at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Vazquez has bounced back from that loss and scored a third round knockout over ex-world titlist Roberto Carlos Leyva.

Vazquez is 21-1-1 with 18 knockouts, while the 29-year-old Donaire Jr., rated No. 4 in The Ring Magazine's mythical pound-for-pound list, is 27-1 with 18 knockouts.