By John F. McKenna (McJack): Photo credit: Sumio Yamada – WBO/WBC bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO’s) is primed and ready to make his mark when he defends his crown against Argentinean Omar Narvaez (35-0-2, 19 KO’s) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Madison Square Garden has been the Mecca that all up and coming fighters dream and strive for as they claw their way up to what they hope will be pugilistic stardom. “The Filipino Flash” wants to make an impression not only on the fans at Madison Square Garden but also the millions watching the fight around the world.

The fight will be aired live on HBO “Boxing after Dark”. It is hoped by Top Rank CEO Bob Arum that the match will go a long way towards raising the profile of Donaire with boxing fans around the world. This will be Nonito’s last fight at bantamweight and it is thought that he will step up in class at least two more times. Arum has high hopes of helping to develop Nonito into a huge PPV star as he gradually moves up to higher weight classes.

Donaire scored a sensational four round knockout over Vladimir Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KO’s) last December. Nonito floored Sidorenko in the first, third and fourth rounds before finally stopping him. Up to that time Sidorenko had never been knocked down.

Donaire followed up his victory over Sidorenko with a devastating 2nd round KO over three division title holder Fernando Montiel (46-3-2, 36 KO’s) in February. It was the first time in Montiel’s career that he had ever been stopped.

The 36 year old Narvaez will be no pushover for Doanaire. His record in title fights is an impressive 20-0-1, in addition he defended the flyweight title he won in 2002 sixteen times. Omar also won the junior bantamweight title which he defended for the third time in June by defeating William Urina. Narvaez is confident of victory against Donaire and believes his speed, boxing ability and ring intelligence combined with his experience will be the determining factor in the fight.

Narvaez stated at a Thursday press conference that he will be taking Donaires title belts back to Argentina with him.