THE FILIPINO FLASH (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
Former four division world champion, Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's) is in Las Vegas to catch the highly-anticipated Miguel Cotto-Canelo Alvarez super fight, but though he's caught up in the festivities of fight week, his mind is on one of the fighters on the undercard -- Cuban sensation.
Rigondeaux is coming off a nearly one year layoff to return to the ring against former world title challenger, Drian "Gintong Kamao" Francisco of the Philippines in a 10-round, non-title bout.
Donaire, of course, fought Rigondeaux in 2013 but lost a close decision as he was outboxed for the majority of the fight despite knocking down the unbeaten super bantamweight standout in the 10th.
Donaire is set to battle Cesar Juarez at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 11, in a 12-round super bantamweight bout. The Filipino is currently riding a two-fight win streak with two knockouts since being brutally stopped by Jamaican Nicholas Walters last year.
When asked whether or not he wants a rematch with Rigondeaux however, Donaire replied affirmatively.
"Oh yes, definitely," said Donaire, in a recent interview by Top Rank's Crystina Poncher.
"The thing is I go by what Sugar Ray Leonard said, 'In order for you to convince me that you're better than me, you gotta do it twice," he added.
Donaire enjoyed an unprecedented run through bantamweight and featherweight, earning 'Fighter of the Year' honors in 2012 with four sensational victories over top caliber opposition. He peaked as high up as number three on most mythical pound-for-pound lists and seemed to be riding an unstoppable wave of momentum.
But setbacks to Rigondeaux and Walters derailed his steady journey to the pinnacle of the sport, even forcing Donaire to contemplate retirement before ultimately deciding to put it off -- and he's been on the road to a comeback since.
The loss to Walters was taken very well by Donaire, as he agreed with media assessment that he had no business competing at featherweight, but the Rigondeaux loss was the one that stung the most -- like a thorn on his side.
Now, Donaire is in the hunt for a world title, to get the leverage for Rigondeaux to agree to a rematch.
"I gotta get this belt and I want [Rigondeaux] to try to take it back," said Donaire.
"You've only [beat me] once, so let's see if you can do it twice. I'll be waiting."
