Nonito Donaire vs. Nicholas Walters. WBA Featherweight title. Oct 18th

Nah, that was strictly about Donaire's size and (relative) youth in both cases - much the same equation of which he is on the other side now just a couple of years later.

There was never some big gap in skill between Donaire and those guys. All three at their best were elite champions.

 

But the case of age/form was working against both of them (and Narvaez with the size gap).

I love Narvaez and Nishioka MORE than the next guy, but when Donaire fought them, they were relative shells of what their career accomplishments indicate.

Stylistically, even at their best, they don't match up well at all with 118/122 pound Donaire, in my opinion. The Nishioka fight would have looked largely the same with Nishioka having more success (any at all would be an improvement) but ultimately probably succumbing earlier while Narvaez just wouldn't be capable of winning rounds against Donaire at 118 with how he fights (the argument dramatically changes, but I still feel the same, even if we are talking about Donaire vs. Narvaez at 115 when Donaire was still down there wasting time).

 

Mathebula is a twig, Walters is a brick shithouse.

The height is offset by how weak he is.

Also, brawn aside, Mathebula just isn't that good a boxer despite having Nic Durandt in his corner. That Donaire had any problems with him was kind of a warning sign of the decline to come.

 

yeah donaire really struggled against mathebula knocking him down and breaking his jaw going on to win a UD lol.what did you want from donaire a first round ko.

 

Walter's chin might be the greatest, he has been down and hurt before. Say what you want about Donaire's skills, he has a good chin.

This is a tough fight for me to predict, Walters has the edge in size, youth, and probably power while Donaire has the edge in world class experience, chin, skills (debatable).

If I had to make a prediction, I'm going to say that Walters chin holds out and he beats Donaire, who is probably in decline. Donaire isn't shot but he is outside his prime IMO. If he beats Walters, it might be one of his signature wins. I really like the matchup.

 

I think this is heavily overstated, the whole Donaire struggling with Mathebula thing... and the whole Mathebula sucking thing in general.

 

You do remember Mathebula out landing him. Look at Donaires face after the fight.

 

I think it is a couple fights too early for Walters. Yeah he looked improved against Darchinyan, but he still looked a bit green to me. You could see that his body was still a bit uncoordinated, as far as his footwork in his last fight. He also seems a bit slow. Why not match him with Gradovich, Vetyeka, or Mares, all lighter punching guys, to further refine his skills. I would favor him over Donaire a couple fights down the line. Donaire probably figures, take him now before he blossoms into something harder to beat in a couple fights. I am thinking Donaire by decision or stoppage, depending on what type of Chin Walters has.

 

Durandt? Durandt ain't **** as a trainer. It's why guys he had that had a little talent never properly developed. He sends them out to block punches with their face every time out. Think N'dou and Mabuza.

 

This is a pretty good post. He did look green at times vs. Vic, but Vic is so awkward to fight that I think that had a lot to do with it.

 

look at mathebula's jaw you ******.

 

I agree with you.I pick donaire to win a hard fought decision over walters.true walters is also inexperienced when it comes to being in big fights.

 

"out landing" doesn't mean too much and that is IF you agree with the ever so inconsistent compubox.