By Chris Williams: IBF/WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (29-1, 18 KO’s) will take on an older fighter in 36-year-old former WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KO’s) on October 13th in what appears to be another safe fight for Donaire at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

At one time, Nishioka was considered to be the best fighter in the 122 pound division but he seems to have lost a step or three and is now a beatable guy for the top champions to pound. Donaire prefers him to Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux, who arguably are the two best fighters in the super bantamweight division at this point. Nishioka was the best in the past, but not anymore.

Donaire told RingTV “I think that the best guy in the division I want to prove myself against is Nishioka. I think that Nishioka is the better of all the guys. He’s proven himself in this weight class to be the real champion.”

I completely disagree with Donaire 100 percent. Nishioka would be out of his depth against Rigondeaux and would be knocked out. Mares would wear him down and show his age. Nishioka barely beat a way past his best Rafael Marquez in his last fight in October last year. I’m sorry, but going life and death with a shot Marquez isn’t a sign that Nishioka is the best; it’s a sign that he’s past his best.

Nishioka’s best wins have come against Jhonny Gonzalez, Ivan Hernandez and Rendall Munroe. However, those wins came three years ago and Nishioka doesn’t look the same now that’s approaching 37. He’s not the same fighter he once was.

Donaire will beat this guy and then face 33-year-old Jorge Arce in early 2013. Donaire will then probably move up in weight to featherweight after that without fighting Rigondeaux or Mares.

Boxing is about numbers. But what I don’t really understand is why Donaire was interested in facing the lesser known Jeffrey Mathebula rather than the better known Mares or Rigondeaux. And the same with Donaire’s fight with Nishioka. He’s not well known in the U.S, not compared to Rigondeaux and Mares, yet Donaire is still going to face him. Does that mean Donaire is dodging Rigondeaux and Mares?