DONAIRE DESPERATE FOR REMATCH WITH RIGONDEAUX
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Jun 2013
2012 ?Fighter of the Year? and former WBO, Ring Magazine and WBC Diamond Belt super bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire is desperate for a rematch with undefeated former Cuban two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Donaire suffered a stunning twelve round unanimous decision loss to Rigondeaux at the Radio City Music Hall in New York last April 13 and wants to avenge that setback in his career which was highlighted by four impressive wins in 2012 and a top five pound for pound Ring Magazine ranking.
Donaire told the Manila Standard ?I want a rematch (with Rigondeaux) more than anything else right now. I?m training hard right now and feeling good.?
The classy Donaire told us he is ready to return to the ring in late October or early November after recovering from surgery on his shoulder to remove a bone spur and mend two torn ligaments, following the Rigondeaux fight.
If Top Rank Promotions is unable to get him a rematch, Donaire who has struggled to make the weight will stick to an original plan to move up to featherweight after WBO champion and close friend Mikey Garcia failed to make the 126 pound limit in his title defense against former champion Juan Manuel ?Juanma? Lopez.
Mikey Garcia is the younger brother of 2012 ?Trainer of the Year? Robert Garcia who also trains Donaire.
Juanma has said that after he fights Garcia he wants to face Donaire which appears more likely after Garcia who was two pounds over the featherweight limit indicated he would move up in weight.
Should Garcia beat Lopez, the title will be declared vacant but should Juanma prevail, then the fight will be for the WBO title.
Donaire told the Standard ?I don?t think he will be able to beat Mikey but there is a possibility we can fight for the vacant title? which is likely to happen. If they don?t give me a rematch with Rigondeaux I will move up (to featherweight) because Mikey will also move up. We were talking about it.?
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