Rigondeaux kayang-kaya si Donaire?

MANILA, Philippines - Naniniwala ang strength and conditioning coach ni Guillermo Rigondeaux na kayang talunin ng Cuban si unified world super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire, Jr. sakaling maitakda ang kanilang upakan sa 2013.

“As great a fighter Nonito is, I think Rigondeaux is better, and that nobody can beat him at 122,” ani D.J. Montanocordoba, ang strength and conditioning coach ni Rigondeaux.

Ayon pa kay Montanocordoba, hindi pa dapat magyabang ang 30-anyos na tubong Talibon, Bohol na si Donaire na dominado na niya ang super bantamweight division.

“If Nonito doesn’t fight Rigeondeaux, no problem, I can’t disrespect him for that, but he can’t go around saying he’s cleaned-up the division without taking Rigondeaux’ title,” ani Montanocordoba kay Donaire.

Si Donaire (31-1-0, 20 KOs) kasalukuyang super bantamweight titlist ng World Boxing Organization at International Boxing Federation, habang si Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs) ang WBA super bantamweight ruler.

Kung wala nang lalaban kay Donaire sa super bantamweight class, sinabi nitong aakyat na lamang siya sa featherweight category sa susunod na taon.

“If Nonito decides to move-up a division, I can res-pect that but, he has to defeat Rigondeaux to say he’s cleaned out the 122-pound division, and I believe he is not capable of beating Rigondeaux. The only way they can prove who is better is by fighting in the ring,” ani Montanocordoba.

Bukod kay Rigondeaux, sinasabi ring makakatapat ni Donaire si Abner Mares (25-0-1, 13 KOs), ang super bantamweight titlist ng World Boxing Council na nasa bakuran ng Golden Boy Promotions.

Mula sa kanyang apat na sunod na panalo sa 2012, hinirang si Donaire ng ESPN.com at RingTV.com bilang 2012 Fighter of the Year.

Ang mga tinalo ni Donaire ay sina Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr. ng Puerto Rico, Jeffrey Mathebula ng South Africa, Toshiaki Nishioka ng Japan at Jorge Arce ng Mexico.