Hungarian Bantamweight Zsolt Bedak has been granted a once in a lifetime opportunity as he faces Filipino WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Nonito Donaire Saturday night in front of a 30,000 strong Cebuano crowd at the Cebu Sports Complex.
“Mr. Lefthook” is currently 32 years of age and has fought for a world title once back in a losing effort against then-WBO World super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. back in 2010 – his sole loss in his 26 fight career. After that crushing tenth round TKO loss, the Hungarian has strung together ten straight wins with three coming by way of finishes.
A win against Nick Otieno (30-11) back in September, 2015 in front of his fellow countrymen granted him a shot against Donaire. In comparing this upcoming bout against Donaire to the fight he had against Vasquez six years back, the 32 year old believes that this is the biggest fight he has ever been in.
“I have faced Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux back when I was an amateur,” he told Tiebreaker Times. “Nonito is the biggest fight I will experience. This fight will change my career if I beat him.”
The Hungarian believes that he has conditioned his mind to ignore the 30,000 Cebuanos that will cheer-on Donaire come Saturday night. Moreover, with the international panel of judges, Puerto Rican Hernando Steidel, New York-native Robin Taylor, and Chicago-based William Lerch, and Russell Mora of Las Vegas being the third man in the ring, the challenger believes that the fight will be called right down to the middle.
“A boxer trains to do everything come fight night. I’m happy that the judges and the referee are all neutral. They are professionals and they will do their job,” he said.
In zoning in to that one goal of winning the crown, Bedak is hoping that his years of sacrifice finally pays dividends come Saturday night. “Once we get into the ring, it’s just between the two fighters. My job is to train and box. My capabilities will lead me to the win,” the stoic Hungarian challenger vowed.
