Donaire has the early rounds to beat Casimero or risk getting KO'd, says boxing expert

WBC world bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire and WBO world bantamweight world champion Johnriel Casimero will push each other's limits when they meet inside the ring, said veteran boxing analyst Ed Tolentino.

The upcoming championship showdown will mark the first time in Philippine boxing history where two Filipino fighters would battle to unify their respective world titles. The historic fight will take place on August 14 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, United States.

"I think Donaire will take the early rounds but if it goes down the trenches he can be outlasted and outworked by Casimero," Tolentino told GMA News Online.

"Donaire can taper off when you bring him to the middle rounds especially if Casimero will apply nonstop pressure. Casimero creates a lot of unorthodox angles when he is in front of you so that will be very interesting," he said.

Casimero, 32, is coming off three-round demolition over Duke Micah last September while Donaire won his bantamweight title via fourth-round knockout against Nordine Oubaali in California last month.

Tolentino, however, warned Donaire is on a whole different level than Casimero's last foe so the latter is in for a much tougher evening. If Casimero survives the early rounds, the boxing analyst is convinced he can muster a win in a tough contest.

"Duke Micah caught Casimero coming in but he is lucky that is not a quality opponent. Donaire has to fight early while he still has the energy he has to be patient because Casimero is a slow starter," Tolentino said.

"But once Casimero gets in the zone, he can get away with a decision or a late-round stoppage. This is a very interesting fight because they have very contrasting styles. This is a great fight."

—MGP, GMA News