THE odds may be stacked heavily against Zsolt Bedak when he tries to snatch the WBO super bantamweight crown of local hero Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire tonight.
But the 32-year old former Olympian is far from intimidated. In fact, he vowed to put up a good fight against the heavily favored, five-division world champion in front of a partisan crowd at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Bedak told CDN that he is well prepared coming into this fight unlike what happened six years ago when he fought and lost to then WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. of Puerto Rico.
He revealed that he suffered a broken jaw after the fifth round against Vasquez Jr. in 2010 and lost via 10th round knock out.
“I am more matured now and learned my lessons,” said Bedak.
That loss to Vasquez Jr. is the only stain in his stellar record of 25 wins with eight knockouts.
Bedak revealed that his trainiing camp for the Donaire tussle was the most difficult he ever had.
“No doubt, Donaire Jr. is a very great boxer, I respect him but I will fight him with all I got. I am confident because I never felt this strong in my entire career. Most importantly, I am very fit and healthy compared to my previous bouts,” he said.
After losing to Vasquez Jr., Bedak compiled 10 straight wins including three successful defenses of his WBO European super bantamweight title.
Speed and power will be the former Olympian’s main weapons against an equally fast and powerful Donaire. Add to that his determination to dethrone the Filipino champion. Will these translate to a shock victory for Hungarian? The answer will be known tonight.
And even if he is far away from home, he said he never felt lonely. And who would, when even the supporters of his arch nemesis would patiently wait in line to have their photos taken with him.