WBC bantamweight champion Nordine Oubaali firmly believes he is the best 118-pounder in the world and is eager to prove it. The unbeaten Frenchman is targeting the ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue and other title holders should he derail Filipino veteran Nonito Donaire at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on Saturday evening.
WBA Super and IBF champion Inoue is evidently the toughest proposition among the bantams, but victory this weekend will also put Oubaali in the frame for the winner of the August 14 clash between WBA Regular champion Guillermo Rigondeaux and WBO king John Riel Casimero.
“I’m the best bantamweight in the world,” said Oubaali. “I’m going to give a great fight on Saturday so that everyone knows. I want all the bantamweights to know that I’m ready for them. I want to fight the best. I’m ready for the winner of John Riel Casimero vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux or Naoya Inoue. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. I know that I’m the best. Now I need to win and show the world.
“Nonito Donaire is a big name and he’s been a world champion in a lot of different divisions. He’s strong, but I know what he can do and I know what my strategy is. I think we have similar styles because we both like to stand and fight.
“He’s a strong fighter with a great technique, but I’m just going to do my best with whatever situations present themselves on fight night. My strength is being able to adapt to any style. I will feel the fight out. For me, boxing is like chess. Every time he makes a move, I have to counter it. I will respond to however Nonito comes forward and make the fight go the way I want it to.
“For me, I don’t worry about who is the favourite or the underdog. I stay focused on the fight. The favourite is whoever has their hand raised at the end. I’m the champion and in my mind, I’m the best fighter in the division. I know why I came here and that’s to get the job done. I came here to stay champion.”
Main image: MTK Global.