By Gav Duthie: The Super Bantamweight division is boxing’s forbidden fruit. For us its like being told you can be a millionaire and its right in front of you but the cash is in an impenetrable safe and you don’t have the key.
There are many potential top clashes in this weight class but nobody seems to want to bite the bullet and make them happen. Who can genuinely say they knew a lot about 11-0 (8) WBA Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux before he out-boxed Nonito Donaire over 12 rounds.
Most of us now consider Rigo one of the worlds bet p4p boxers but that is only because ‘The Filipino Flash’ gave him the chance to prove it. All you hear today from potential Rigo opponents is that he is too awkward, boring, not commercial enough, not worth the risk. Where are the guys who say ‘If you think he is the best I’ll fight him and prove I am better’. That is what Nonito Donaire is and that is what this division needs.
Back in the mix
So his win against William Prado was nothing earth shattering but we needed to know that Donaire wasn’t finished, that he could make the weight and he still had a killer instinct. He answered all those questions well enough to suggest he still has a future. He won the vacant NABF title which often works favorably in gaining rankings with the WBC. The current WBC champion is Leo Santa Cruz who’s recent run of opponents suggest he could be fighting his mum before the years end. Rumors suggest that Leo will move up to the 126lb division possibly to challenge new WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jnr. Whether its against Santa Cruz or highest ranked contender Hugo Ruiz 35-2 (31) for a vacant title I expect Donaire will fight for the crown before the end of 2015.
Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg could be the key
The powers that be need to make sure that this happens because neither Frampton nor Quigg will entertain fighting anyone else decent until the fight one another. Domestic showdowns in the UK always do well commercially and whilst both parties can make more money fighting each other than Donaire, Santa Cruz and Rigondeaux those opponents are forgotten. Donaire is a huge name in the lower weight classes but seeing as he has lost twice I hope that some of the 122lb champions will fancy that they can take him.
Predictions
Donaire v Rigondeaux 2 (Rigo UD 12)
Donaire v Santa Cruz (Donaire KO 8-10)
Donaire v Quigg (Donaire KO 7-9)
Donaire v Frampton (Frampton UD 12)
I have written before about my concerns for this division and big fights slipping through the net. At 32 its hard to say how much Donaire has to offer but if he can at least provide a spark to get some big fights going then I am excited about his Super Bantamweight ring return.
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