Donaire-Rigondeaux parehong may patutunayan

MANILA, Philippines - Nakangiti si Nonito Donaire Jr. nang tanggapin ang 2012 BWAA Fighter of the Year award kahapon sa New York City.

Gusto namang alisin ni two-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux ang naturang kasiyahan sa mukha ni Donaire sa kanilang laban bukas.

Sinabi ni Rigondeaux, nanalo ng gold medal sa bantamweight division ng 2004 at 2008 Olympics, na gustung-gusto niyang talunin si Donaire. Sinabi niya ito sa kanilang teleconference noong Martes kung saan nangako siyang tatalunin si Donaire para hindi na siya sabihang isang Olympic champion lamang ng mga boxing critics.

“It would be a huge accomplishment to add to my amateur accomplishments,” sabi ni Rigondeaux. “A victory over Nonito would show the world that I can compete against the best in the world in a professional capacity. Like I said before, beating Nonito would be beating the best in the division.”

 Sa edad na 32-anyos, sumabak lamang ang Cuban sa 11 laban sapul noong 2009 at hindi pa natatalo kasama ang walong KOs kumpara sa 31 wins, 1 loss at 20 KOs ni Donaire.

Si Donaire ay isang four-division world champion at noong nakaraang taon ay naipanalo ang lahat ng apat na laban para hirangin bilang 2012 Fighter of the Year.

“I have great respect for Nonito and I think he is a great fighter. Beating him would be a great accomplishment in itself,” wika ni Rigondeaux.

Sa nakaraang mga linggo ay nagpalitan ng patutsada sina Donaire at Rigondeaux.

Ngunit bukas, oras na para sa kanilang palitan ng suntok sa ibabaw ng boxing ring.

Kumpiyansa si Rigondeaux, ang WBA super-bantamweight champion, na maagaw niya kay Donaire ang suot nitong WBO crown.

“If we beat him we can say we are true professionals. He can stop talking about me as an amateur. A win absolutely would be a bigger accomplishment than the gold medals,” sabi ni Rigondeaux.