by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The media workout of WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and IBF  champion Jeffrey Mathebula of South Africa was no workout but scores of media people were able to interview the two fighters.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said that Mathebula was “at least a head taller” than Donaire which may cause some problems for the skilled four-division world champion.

Donaire’s trainer, former world champion Robert Garcia said the height of Mathebula doesn’t awe Donaire and doesn’t concern him, stating that “Nonito prefers to fight taller guys.”

Arum said the media affair at the Fortune Gym in West Hollywood  was “huge, hectic  and worked out very well.”

Dr. Ed de la Vega who is well-known for producing top class mouth-guards for fighters said that the event boiled down to an exchange of messages printed on the outfits of the two champions who are both seeking to unify the 122 pound title.

Mathebula proclaimed “Undisputed King of World Champions” on his training outfit. He is the US with trainer Nick Durandt and assistant trainers Damien Durandt and Gert Strydom.

Donaire, on the other hand wore a simple white t-shirt according to Dr. De La Vega that had the VADA logo along with a statement “ 24/7/365 Nothing to Hide, Everything to Prove” which aimed to draw attention to his voluntary drug testing to prove he is a clean athlete.

The title fight will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN on Channel 2 at 10:00 om Sunday, July 8 and on July 7 on HBO.

Mathebula’s well-known promoter Branco Milenkovic has described the unification fight as “a historic moment for South Africa because “it will be the first time that a local boxer is involved in a legitimate world unification bout.”