THE FILIPINO FLASH (Photo : Jhay Oh Otamias)
World Boxing Organization bigwigs announced early Wednesday, December 10, that it was upgrading the junior featherweight bout between the Philippines' Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's) and Mexico City's top ranked Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KO's) into a title fight.
Donaire last held the WBO junior featherweight strap in 2013, when he battled Cuban sensation, Guillermo Rigondeaux at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux defeated Donaire by unanimous decision, but had difficulty securing fights afterwards as fans and networks were turned off by his particular fighting style, which some described as 'safe' and 'boring'.
More than two years later, Rigondeaux had fought just a handful of times, and on much smaller shows, prompting the WBO to strip him of his title due to inactivity.
Now, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 11, Donaire will get the chance to reclaim the title he once lost if he can get past Juarez.
Juarez is the number one ranked contender in the division while Donaire sits at number two in the WBO.
When Rigondeaux received word that the WBO would be stripping him of his title, he filed an appeal but later on withdrew the appeal, realizing that his chances of success were slim at best, which ultimately led to the Donaire-Juarez bout being upgraded.
However, the belt isn't the only thing Donaire is after. In fact, winning the title is just a way for him to goad Rigondeaux into a rematch, according to the Filipino-American.
"Oh yes, definitely," said Donaire, in a recent interview with 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."
To get Rigondeaux back in the ring however, first, Donaire will have to beat Juarez and get the belt.
Juarez is a solid contender with the Mexican warrior heart. He hasn't fought the biggest names in the sport like Donaire, but he's certainly capable and all too willing to seize the opportunity to grab the belt himself. Donaire will have to bring his full arsenal to not only defeat Juarez, but do so impressively and decisively.
"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."
