411 Boxing Preview: Donaire vs. Sidorenko

Posted by Igor Frank on 12.03.2010

Nonito Donaire will square off against Wladimir Sidorenko this Saturday for the interim WBA Bantamweight Championship! 411's Igor Frank takes a look at the matchup in the 411 Boxing Preview!


Photo by Laura de la Torre

Nonito Donaire burst onto American boxing scene in 2007 when he scored a spectacular one punch knock out, that was later named a knock out of the year, over a notorious Armenian banger, Vic Darchinyan. Like a bullet a counter hook put Darchinyan down into never-never land. Lightning fast punch was so devastating that the former champion still didn't know what happened to him minutes after it was all over.

But the reality of fighting at the lower weight divisions hit Nonito harder than the punch he threw to win an IBF flyweight title. Frustrated with not being able to secure a meaningful fight, even after scoring a knock out of the year on Showtime network, Donaire parted ways with his promoter Gary Shaw and signed with the very best in the business, Bob Arum of Top Rank.

Signing a lucrative contract with Donaire, Bob Arum got creative developing a new promoter financed Pay Per View series of shows dubbed Pinoy Power that featured Nonito Donaire along with other rising prospects from Philippines. Still big fights eluded Filipino Flesh. That is until now. For the first time in history of boxing a major network, HBO has agreed to feature bantamweight championship fight. On February 19th, 2011 Nonito will challenge Fernando Montiel for WBC and WBO bantamweight crowns.

It's a big fight. "I have signed a contract for Montiel next year," exclaimed excited Donaire. HBO has signed as well. Montiel, the champion is ready. There is just one stumbling block before this fight could take place; Nonito has to face a former bantamweight champion, rugged Ukrainian veteran, Volodya Sydorenko this Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

Considering that the whole fight card almost fell through because the main event with Chavez Jr. got canceled and an old adage:" The best laid plans of mice and men sometimes go astray," is it a good idea to risk an HBO date in February to fight such a formidable opponent this Saturday. Nonito is aware of the risks involved." He is a good fighter, former world champion, medalist in the Olympics, "said Donaire when I interviewed him this Wednesday at the Biltmore Hotel:" He is going to try to break my spirit by pressuring me. He is going to give it all he has got, but I have another plan. So it's going to be an entertaining fight."

"I have two plans to beat him," countered Sydorenko, who has been sparring with Vic Darchinyan for the last month to get ready for this bout: "I know he is a very skilled fighter. It's going to be tough challenge."

The irony that Sydorenko has been sparring with the man who has been calling out Donaire for the past three years does not escape anyone."We help each other," smiled Sydorenko. "Of course, I want Sydorenko to win," said Darchinyan last week after a spirited sparring session with a Ukrainian fighter at the Main Event Sports Club in Glendale:" But I want to be the first one to beat him." Would Sydorenko benefit from more than just sparring?

Volodya Sydorenko held a WBA version of a bantamweight title from 2005 till 2008 and only lost it in a very close fight to a current champion from Panama, Anselmo Moreno. Ukrainian veteran tried to avenge his loss the very next bout in 2009 but fell just short of the goal loosing by a split decision. At the age of thirty four Sydorenko knows this might be his only chance for a big time and he is not about to let it slip away.

With a lot on the line for both guys they will square off in a twelve round contests for an interim WBA bantamweight title this Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Don't miss this one. Tickets are available at the Honda center Box Office or via Ticketmaster.

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The main event was supposed to have featured a middleweight bout between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Alfonso Gomez. Late last week, Gomez withdrew from the fight, sighting an injury on his left elbow, which was caused during training camp. Gomez attempted to fight on but the injury worsened after returning to the gym and was ultimately convinced by his team to pull out.

Pawel Wolak, who was Chavez Jr.'s original opponent, was then added into the main event once again but the fight was finally scrapped altogether when Chavez Jr. came down with a bad flu. Chavez Jr. appeared to be getting better and returned to the gym on Monday but woke up on Tuesday with a 103-degree fever, thus forcing him to withdraw. Wolak now faces Jose Pinzon on the undercard.

In the co-featured bout, Humberto Soto defends his WBC lightweight title against Urbano Antillon.