Donaire eyes rematch with Rigondeaux
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba (right) defeated Nonito Donaire via unanimous decision in their unification bout two years ago. AP
MANILA, Philippines — Five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. wants a rematch with undefeated Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Donaire revealed his desire after disposing of Brazilian William Prado in two rounds in his return on Saturday night since suffering a sixth-round technical knockout loss to Nicholas Walters last year.
Article continues after this advertisement“That’s something that we’re looking at,” Donaire said on facing Rigondeaux. “We got to see where I’m at in terms of my ability. I feel that we are still in the elite level and we can compete with guys like Rigondeaux.”
Rigondeax, the WBA and WBO super bantamweight champion, outpointed Donaire two years ago in New York.
BACKSTORY: Nonito Donaire scores TKO win over William Prado, ready for title shot
Article continues after this advertisementDonaire’s father and trainer, Nonito Sr., also expressed strong interest in taking on Rigondeaux.
“Anytime. If Rigondeaux will agree to fight we don’t have any problems with that,” said the trainer.
Donaire was pleased with his power, giving it a nine to 10 rating. But he gave a six or seven on his overall performance against Prado, whom he reduced to a punching bag.
“There’s still that lack of follow up. I was throwing one punch at a time,” Donaire said during the Pinoy Pride 30 post-fight press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 32-year-old Donaire felt that the fight with Prado helped him assess where he stood after having lost two of his last four fights coming into the ring before his hometown crowd.
READ: Donaire returns to fighting form with dad as trainer
“I think it was definitely a statement where Nonito Donaire is at. I was in that level. But it looked that I had overcome the differences and you could see the difference in the talent,” he said, referring to himself in the third person.
“I’m ready to step up again to the elite level,” Donaire added.
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