Andres Campos Carrying Hopes of A Nation Into Clash With ‘Idol’ Nonito Donaire

Having had such a major shift in opposition and with a greater prize on the line, Campos has leaned on the lessons learned in his previous world title shot. While the three rounds he won on each scorecard against Edwards serve as proof to him that he can hang with high-level opponents, it is the memories of the entire build-up to the bout that have been in front of his mind during this training camp.

Ranked seventh at the time with the IBF, the experience of fighting in England caused a great shift in the mindset of the traveling South American. Now knowing what to expect and what is expected of him in high-stakes contests, an air of calm has come over Team Campos as preparations for their next challenge wrap up. 

“This is my second chance for a world title. I don’t have the same nerves that I had in the first one; I have more experience,” he said.

“That experience in England, it was a very, very good camp. Everyone grew up a lot. We learned a lot. In that kind of fight for world titles, you have to be at 100 percent mentally and physically in every area of the sport. To me, now it’s easier than the first time.”

Ensuring triumph over “The Filipino Flash” is about more than a world title belt, though. It is about legacy. In taking on such an iconic figure, Campos not only carries his own personal hopes but also those of a nation eager to claim its place in the sun.

At present. Chile has never had a male world boxing champion. By contrast, Donaire has been fighting for world championships across multiple weight classes since 2007, landing fast and heavy punches on a litany of all-time greats. Conventional wisdom would suggest that this discrepancy in experience alone may be too much of a gap to close.

That is not to say that Donaire won’t have questions to answer. After nearly two years out of the ring and at age 42, he returns following back-to-back defeats to Naoya Inoue and Alexandro Santiago. One would be forgiven for pondering whether age has caught up to the all-time great.

For that reason, a youthful Campos believes there is no better time than now to strike. Or, more appropriately, for a man with the nickname “crocodile” to attack his prey. Time will tell as to whether he has bitten off more than he can chew, but for now, he is convinced the moment is his to seize.

“The entire country of Chile is anticipating my fight,” Campos concluded. “We will be very close to Santiago, my capital. Buenos Aires is only one hour by plane, so many people will come with me to see the fight.”

“We want to take this opportunity because he is not at his peak. He is my idol, but he is not as fast or strong as he was in his 20s or 30s. I have so much respect for him, but I think I will win because of my physical and mental condition. I’m very fast and very smart. I have a lot of experience right now. If I took this fight four years ago, I think I wouldn’t win.

“I’ve talked with some fighters who have fought with Donaire. If you study fights of his from 2020 and before, Donaire is at another level. In his last two fights, he’s made some errors, some mistakes. I think I will win because I’ve studied a lot of him – skills, mistakes, everything.

“Right now, I have everything to make history for Chile.”

Quotes from Andres Campos in this article have been translated by manager Nicolas Martinez