MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire Jr. beamed as he received and hoisted the 2012 BWAA Fighter of the Year award yesterday in New York City.
Two-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux wants to take that smile off Donaire’s face when they collide tomorrow at the Radio City in the Big Apple.
Rigondeaux, winner of the bantamweight gold in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, said he has all the motivation against Donaire.
He said in last Tuesday’s teleconference that a victory over Donaire will make people realize that he’s more than just an Olympic champion.
“It would be a huge accomplishment to add to my amateur accomplishments,†he said.
“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,†Rigondeaux added.
The Cuban defector is a late bloomer in the pro ranks. He only has 11 fights since 2009 and won them all. Donaire, on one hand, is a veteran with 31 wins, one loss and 20 knockouts.
Donaire hasn’t lost a fight in nearly 12 years. He is a four-division world champion, and last year he won all his four fights, making him the 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,†said Rigondeaux.
Over the past weeks, harsh words were thrown by both fighters, with Donaire belittling Rigondeaux skills as a pro, and the now resident of Miami saying he would shut the mouth of the stubborn Filipino.
But tomorrow, it’s time to trade punches inside the ring.
Rigondeaux, the WBA super-bantamweight champion, is confident of pulling it off against Donaire, the WBO champion in the 122 lb class.
“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,†said Rigondeaux.