Filipino Flash

Nicholas 'The Axeman' Walters

LEROY BROWN, STAR WRITER

Christmas will be coming early for me this year," Jamaican boxing star Nicholas 'The Axeman' Walters, the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion, said yesterday, while commenting on his title fight at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on October 18, against the WBA featherweight Super champion, Nonito 'The Filipino Flash' Donaire.

Donaire became the Super Champion, on May 31, when he defeated South African Simphiwe Vetyeka by a fifth round technical decision, when they went to the scorecards after Donaire was unable to continue after receiving a severe cut above his eye.

The WBA Super champion designation is given to a boxer who has multiple titles or makes at least five successful title defences, and Vetyeka became Super champion when he defeated the great Chris John, who was unbeaten in 18 title fights over a period just a few months short of 10 years.0

Walters has been the WBA featherweight champion since December 8, 2012, when he defeated Daulis Prescott to win the then vacant title. He has had two successful defences, the latest being against Vic Darchinyan on May 31, by knockout in round five.

Walters said that this is the fight he has been wanting to happen, and is happy that it is going to take place this year.

" Defeating Donaire will bring me fame and fortune. I will be ready on October 18 and it will be a great fight because he will be a tough opponent. At the end however, the world will know that 'The Axeman' is a Super champion, and the best featherweight boxer in the world" he added.

Donaire has been a top-10 fighter for several years, and has won world titles at super-bantamweight, junior featherweight twice, and then at featherweight. He was the World Boxing Council (WBC) Fighter of the Year in 2012, after defeating WBC Diamond Belt super-bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka, to end his eight-year, 16-bout winning streak. He himself at one stage of his career had a 12-year, 30-fight winning streak.

Jacques Deschamps who manages Walters said he did not expect to get a fight with Donaire this quickly.

"The opportunity came, however, and we took it. Nicholas has been dreaming about this fight for a year, because it will mean a lot to him to beat Donaire.

Jamaica and his fans around the world can be confident that Nicholas will be well prepared and that he will win. His time has come and we are going to prove to the world that Nicholas is the best featherweight boxer in the world."

Walters goes into the ring with a 24-0 record with 20 knockouts, while Donaire is 32-2 with 21 knockouts.