Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire, the WBO Junior Featherweight Champion, accepted the 2012 Sugar Ray Robinson Award for Fighter of the Year from the Boxing Writers Association of America at the group's dinner on Thursday night.

The award came two days before his anticipated match against Olympian Guillermo Rigondeaux in a 12-round bout at Radio City Music Hall on Saturday night. This is only the second time in Radio City's 82-year history that it would stage a boxing match.

Donaire has a 31-1 fight record, of which 20 were knockouts.

He is expected to display his speed, power and boxing skills - often compared to fellow Filipino boxer and eight-division title holder Manny Pacquiao - after a disappointing last match at the Madison Square Garden against Omar Narvaez in 2011.

In February 2012, he won the WBO 122-pound title in a 12-round match versus Wilfredo Vazquez Jr and defended the title in another 12-round bout against Jeffrey Mathebula in July. In October, he KOd Toshiaki Nishoika in the 9th round and got his fourth win in December via KO against Jorge Arce.

Rigondeaux, 32, has only 11 pro fights, but had an extensive amateur boxing career as a member of the Cuban national team, and snagged gold medals in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

Rigondeaux, who Twitter followers said lost to Donaire in a staring match, vowed to knockout the Filipino champ, who is expecting his first child with wife, Rachel.

The two are battling for the Super Bantanweight (Junior Featherweight) title. Boxing experts believe Donaire has the better chance because of his longer professional experience.

Among those who foresee a Donaire victory are Boxing Superstar Amir Khan and Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia in the following forecast.

Jeremy Herriges, a contributor to Bleacher Report, wrote that while some people believe Rigondeaux is a dangerous opponent for Donaire because of the Cuban boxer being a southpaw. However, he pointed out that the Filipino champ won two impressive knockout victories against left-handed boxers Nishioka and Vic Darchinyan.

He said a Donaire win on Saturday would be "one step closer to reaching the same status that Manny Pacquiao during the pinnacle of his career. This could be a defining moment in Nonito Donaire's legacy.