The Next Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, Will Triumph Saturday

WBA world super flyweight interim champion "The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire will fight former WBC USNBC flyweight champion Herman "Tyson" Marquez Saturday night at Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan.

Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs), a past IBF and IBO world flyweight titlist who is currently rated by Ring Magazine  as the number four pound-for-pound boxer in the world, is constantly compared to his fellow Filipino countryman, WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs).

Pacquiao, the first prizefighter to win seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, is a three-time Fighter of the Year and one-time Fighter of the Decade.

"It's a great honor to be compared to Manny Pacquiao," said Donaire, 27, whose only loss came against a much-larger Rosendo Sanchez in 2001. "I mean the guy has done what no one has ever done before. So for someone to throw a name at you like that, that's a big compliment. It's like if you're starting out in basketball, and someone is calling you the next Michael Jordan. I'm like, thank you.'"

Granted, Donaire is very skilled and his rapid fists will likely earn him much future success in the squared circle.

Nevertheless, at this juncture, Donaire is strictly being linked to Pacquiao because they both hail from the Republic of the Philippines. 

If Donaire can impressively trump Marquez (27-1, 20 KOs), his pugilistic credibility will be further fortified.

Marquez, nicknamed "Tyson" because of his ferocious fighting style, is a southpaw with cement hands. 

"Marquez is one of the only little guys I like to watch fight," said Michael Cardello, 28, a resident of Quincy.

At only 21, Marquez is also brimming with gifts and potential.

If Marquez can manage to pummel "The Filipino Flash," he will become a marquee name and attraction in the sport of boxing.

Unfortunately for Marquez, his aggressive style will prove to be ideal for Donaire.

Expect "Tyson" to chaotically charge Donaire from the outset of the bout and land some solid blows.

After Marquez's initial furious barrage, Donaire will adjust and ultimately control the bout.

"The Filipino Flash" will continue his ascension to prominence this weekend in Puerto Rico.