Five Reasons Nonito Donaire Will Prevail Over Omar Narvaez

By Leo Reyes

Though unbeaten in 37 professional fights, WBO junior bantamweight champion Omar Narvaez of Argentina will most likely experience his first professional defeat when he collides with WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire over the weekend.

Donaire (26-1, 18 KOs), who is relatively younger than Narvaez at 28 is a 7-1 favorite to win as they face each other at the Madison Square Garden in what appears to be New York’s biggest boxing event of the year.

Narvaez (35-0, 19 KOs) is 37-years-old will be having his foreign fight debut after winning over mostly unknown fighters in the flyweight division. Narvaez is rated at flyweight and had to make adjustments in weight to fight in the bantamweight division where Donaire is campaigning.

First and foremost is Donaire’s sheer size and height. The Filipino Flash stands 5’7″ compared to Narvaez’ 5’3″. Donaire is definitely on his prime at 28 while Narvaez is just about over his prime at 37. In order to land a power punch, Narvaez has to come closer to Donaire but this will be very dangerous because Donaire will take him with his left-right combinations just like what he did with Fernando Montiel.

Secondly, Narvaez has not fought rated fighters in the bantamweight division. To climb up the weight required will take its toll on Narvaez, having been a natural flyweight all his fighting days.

Thirdly, a psychological factor could come in for Narvaez, who is fighting for the first time in the US. As with other fighters, he would experience a “cultural shock” and Donaire will pounce on him if he sees he’s scared of the huge venue in the big apple.

Donaire, as we all know is a knock out artist. About 10 of his 12 recent fights have ended in a knockout and Narvaez may just be his 11th victim via the short route. It is very much possible Donaire will not stay long inside the ring as he could finish Narvaez probably inside five rounds.

Lastly, Donaire is motivated. With his first million dollar purse coming up after getting past Narvaez, Donaire will not waste his time dancing around Narvaez for a show. He needs this fight to propel himself as one of today’s prime fighters with no less than a million dollar tag on his head for his next fight.

The Donaire vs. Narvaez fight will take place at the Madison Square Garden in New York on October 22, 2011 for the WBC/WBO bantamweight titles.