ALL SHOOK UP: Nonito Donaire promises “Elvis dancing” in action-packed fight

A packed SSE Odyssey Arena may at times think they have paid to watch two Elvis tribute acts rather than two World renowned fighters throw down on April 21st if Nonito Donaire is to be believed.

‘The Filipino Flash’ predicts his eagerly anticipated featherweight clash with Carl Frampton will be all about all-out attack meaning both will land big blows and both could be defensively exposed.

As a result, the four-weight World Champion assumes there will be times during the 12 round BT broadcast fight that each of the two former Fighter of the Year winners will be all shook up.

Indeed, the former pound-for-pound star went as far as to predict the ring kings will be hurt into doing involuntary impressions of the King’s famous move.s

Speaking in Belfast about what he sees as a battle two of warriors Donaire said of Frampton that “he can box, he can punch, he has all of that stuff and the tendency for both of us really is to be offensive. We are both very offensive and we open up.”

“When we get to land something it’s going to be very strong and it’s your going to see us doing some Elvis dancing. That is how it’s going to go down.”

“It’s going to be an exciting fight, back-and-forth and action-packed because we are both warriors. You can’t take us down.”

The Philippine 35-year-old also stresses both fighters have extra motivation to stay on their feet come April 21. Frampton’s Windsor Park and immediate World title hopes are on the line while Donaire could be fighting for his career in Belfast.

Donaire, who was well received at the press conference to officially announce the fight this afternoon, also claimed that both he and his Titanic City foe will have proving doubters wrong at the back of their minds in the lead up to the fight.

“I think the greatest part about this we are both going to be at our best. As much as he was at his best in the Santa Cruz fight I think he will need to excel that moment because of the desire for him to go beyond where he is and to prove to everyone as well.”

“That’s the same for me a lot of people have written me off and I use that to strive to get better and that is why we are both in this must-win fight.”

While Donaire remains a massive name in the sport, his stock has fallen slightly since his initial reign at super bantamweight. His performances of late have been more acceptable than old-school explosive, but he suggests a foe like ‘The Jackal’ could inspire a return to former glories.

The Ringstar fighter admits he will have to be at his best to beat the ‘The Jackal’ and suggests that knowledge will inspire to train with a passion he has lost in recent years.

“It’s more of finding where I stand in boxing with my ability and that is something that I can prove with Carl because he is not a walk in the park. He is a guy that you need to be at your best.”

“A fight with Carl inspires me to be at my best and a guy that inspires me to be where I am ultimately,” he said before indicating he hasn’t threatened top form of late.

“I haven’t so much suffered doubts I just never perform at the level I should,” explained Donaire.

“I did win – even with the [Jessie] Magdaleno fight that I lost, I really felt I should have won that fight – but I know I can do so much more.”

“I think it is a habit I have created in terms of training and that is why I took this fight.”

“Being here and the disadvantages with the crowd and so forth – and you know how great the crowd can be, I took this in the essence of allowing myself to train the best and utilizing the potential I know I still have.”