By Chris Williams: Newly crowned WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18 KO’s) is still resistant to the idea of facing WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux for some reason and you have to what’s really behind all of Donaire’s refusals to face the Cuban two-time former Olympic Gold Medalist Rigondeaux. Donaire says he wants to face Yuriorkis Gamboa, and feels he’s a lot better than Rigondeuax.
Speaking with Fight Hub, Donaire said “If I’m afraid [of Rigondeaux], then give me Gamboa. I’m not afraid to fight Gamboa, and I believe Gamboa is a 100 times better than Rigondeaux. That’s the type of fight I want. That’s one of the guys I want to go for.”
I’m afraid that’s a step too far for Donaire, as he looked terrible in beating former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. by a 12 round split decision earlier this month on February 4th. Donaire got beat up a little against Vazquez Jr. and Donaire’s power clearly didn’t carry up with him from bantamweight if it was even good at that weight. Donaire has looked less than overpowering in his last two fights against Omar Narvaez and Vazquez Jr. If you then have Donaire move up to super featherweight to face the faster and more powerful Gamboa, do you think Donaire will do well? I know I don’t. Donaire would have to put on additional weight to fight Gamboa at super featherweight, because Gamboa isn’t going to drain himself to meet Donaire at featherweight. I see it ending badly for Donaire with Gamboa manhandling him and taking him out in four or five rounds at the most.
I can see why Donaire wouldn’t mind facing Gamboa rather than Rigondeaux. Gamboa has been pro longer than Rigondeaux and is better known. Getting beaten by Gambos isn’t a bad thing because he’s so well known and widely respected. Getting beaten by the lesser known Rigondeaux would be a big thing for Donaire because Rigondeaux is only now getting a name for himself, but still isn’t hugely popular. Donaire would have a lot more to lose by getting beaten by the relative newcomer Rigondeaux compared to Gamboa.
It sure seems like Donaire is avoiding Rigondeaux and you have to wonder why. If he’s willing to fight the recently knocked out Vazquez Jr., then why isn’t Donaire eager to face a guy who’s unbeaten and who has much better amateur credentials like Rigondeaux?