Who has Mathebula fought lately?
Nishioka didn't put up any kind of fight. Who cares about the undefeated for the past 8 years line when he didn't even put up a fight to make this fight ANY WAY competitive. He beat someone who stood there and just took shots all night long. There is no appreciation for that regardless of the "8 years undefeated" meme. All we know is Nishioka put on a pathetic performance and if I was donaire, I wouldn't be too proud in beating someone with such a showing. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but Nishoka fought like someone who was paid just to be beat, smh.
Nonito is protected by Top Rank to a disgustingly obvious degree. Just saw a story where he basically acts like that he has to move up because he cleared out the competition at that weight class yet won't fight two titleholders who people have been asking for him to fight forever. My guess is Arum won't ever put Rigondeux up against him because Rigondeux isn't as marketable. He can't speak English and there is no precedent for a Cuban superstar of Nonito's or Manny's level at this point in time. Plus there is a good chance Rigondeux would take him to school. Its a business decision, but not one made to please fight fans. Arum is intent on making donaire the replacement for the pinoy fans out there who currently nut hug Manny, present company included
.
That's not Donaire's fault, you can't take this KO victory over a solid top 122 competitor away from him cause dude was fighting scared, Nishioka certainly did not look this way in his bouts against Rafael Marquez and Johnny Gonzalez (
) and his credentials may not have had him as a top 20 p4p guy, but a top 122 fighter nonetheless.
Same goes for Rigo. Mares/Moreno winner will be a lot more qualified in earning a Donaire fight at this point than Rigo, barring a bad fight/outcome. I take nothing away from Rigo, but he's sort of in the same situation as Nishioka IMO. Top 122 guy, not really a top 20 p4p guy (yet) until he puts in some better work. I mean, he has limitless potential (lord knows he's sick), but that doesn't mean shyt if it's not realized against top comp, feel me?
Say what you want about top level comp ducking him, dude has fought some VERY soft comp in his 11 fights for his skill level. Only 2 of his fights got any
from me from a "ranking" perspective.
With all that said, I'd love to see Donaire/Rigo, but I'd rather see Donaire/Mares-Moreno winner
@ Jorge Arce getting the next shot at Donaire. It'll be fun while it lasts I guess
he's overrated as fukk thats why, the next solid counter puncher he faces he gets exposed badly
