Donaire looking forward to fighting a guy that was recently knocked out

By Boxing News - 12/25/2011 - Comments

Image: Donaire looking forward to fighting a guy that was recently knocked outBy Chris Williams: Nonito Donaire (27-1, 18 KO’s) moves up in weight on February 4th to fight former World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez (21-1, 18 KO’s) for the vacant World Boxing Organization super bantamweight title.

Donaire is reportedly really excited about this fight because it gives him the opportunity to possibly capture a third division world title. Donaire, 29, has previously won world titles at flyweight and bantamweight. But Donaire wants to move up in weight to pick up more titles and get bigger fights.

Some of Donaire’s fans believe he can win equal or perhaps better Manny Pacquiao’s six division world title victories before he’s through with his career.

It’s certainly possible with the right kind of matchmaking given how watered down all the divisions are nowadays with some divisions having more than 4 world titles available.

Donaire is picking the right opponent for him to win a third world title, because Vazquez Jr. was recently knocked out by Jorge Arce last May in a 12th round knockout defeat.

It would be a lot more interesting if Donaire wasn’t facing a recent loser like Vazquez and instead was fighting a winning fighter like Guillermo Rigondeaux or Toshioki Nishioka.

I think Rigondeaux would beat Donaire without any problems, which is probably why Top Rank, Donaire’s promoters, isn’t matching him up against Rigondeaux. When a fighter is being moved from division to division to collect trinkets the way that Donaire is now, you can’t put him in with guys that might beat him because that would defeat the purpose.

Vazquez is a recent loser and is perfect for Donaire. Is this a good fight? It is if you’re Donaire and Top Rank, because Vazquez was just knocked out earlier this year and really has no business fighting for a title.

It’s good matchmaking to find a weaker opponent to go after for a paper title, but let’s not kid ourselves. Donaire isn’t facing the best fighter in the super bantamweight division in Vazquez, and he would likely get beat if he were to face Rigondeaux and Nishioka.



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