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Patience will be key for ‘underdog’ Donaire in Northern Ireland bout

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/04/21/donaire-2018-2018-042118.jpg"/><figcaption>Nonito Donaire. File/Agence France-Presse</figcaption></figure></div>Boxing analyst Ed Tolentino believes that Nonito Donaire is the underdog when the Filipino former world champion takes on Carl Frampton of Northern Ireland Saturday (early Sunday morning, Manila time).“Donaire’s best chance is to set the pace early with his jab and hope to capitalize on Frampton’s wild rushes. Frampton, if in shape, will look to wear down Donaire in the later rounds,” Tolentino said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.Donaire has a 38-4 win-loss record entering the SSE Arena in Belfast over the weekend, while Frampton carries a 24-1 record.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/20/18/watch-nonito-donaire-wows-opponents-fans-by-singing-ed-sheeran">WATCH: Nonito Donaire wows opponent’s fans by singing Ed Sheeran</a></li>	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/20/18/donaire-on-belfast-fight-im-stronger-and-faster-than-carl-frampton">Donaire on Belfast fight: I’m stronger and faster than Carl Frampton</a></li></ul>Donaire has had a more storied career than Frampton, but the wear and tear accrued over time by the 35-year-old fighter could play a factor.“Both men have struggled lately and are seemingly past their prime,” Tolentino said. “Not a few believe though that Donaire has accumulated more mileage, making him the underdog in the fight.”<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/21/18/donaire-carl-frampton-make-weight-for-world-interim-title-bout">Donaire, Carl Frampton make weight for world interim title bout</a></li></ul>For Donaire to have a chance at downing Frampton, Tolentino suggested Donaire be deliberate.“This is actually a very good pairing, if both men show up in shape. Frampton is a pressure fighter . . . a pressure fighter who loves to work his way inside,” Tolentino said.“Magalaw din si Frampton coming in, he does not attack on a straight path so Donaire will have to be very patient and avoid being lured to a brawl.”Donaire is coming off a unanimous-decision win over Ruben Garcia Hernandez, and is looking for another run at the top tier of the featherweight division after most recently holding the WBO super bantamweight championship. Frampton, 31, is also looking to get back to the top of the 125-pound rankings after losing his WBO title to Leo Santa Cruz last year. The hometown boy Frampton is coming off a unanimous decision win over Horatio Garcia. <hr/>You can catch Nonito Donaire Jr. vs. Carl Frampton for the WBO Interim Featherweight World title on Sunday, April 22nd, 6:30 PM on ABS-CBN S+A channel 23!You can also catch the fight LIVE on Sunday, April 22nd, 2:30 AM on SKY Sports Pay-Per-View for only P199!(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

Donaire has had a more storied career, but the wear and tear accrued over time by the 35-year-old former world champion could play a factor.

Donaire has had a more storied career, but the wear and tear accrued over time by the 35-year-old former world champion could play a factor.