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Philippines, 15 Feb 2026 |
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DONAIRE VERSUS MARES? WE CAN ONLY WISH By Ed de la Vega, DDS PhilBoxing.com Wed, 09 Jan 2013   Frank Espinosa, the manager of Abner Mares is absolutely right in saying that the best fight amongst the world?s leading super bantamweights is one between two great California-based world champions, 2012 Fighter of the Year - San Leandro?s Nonito Donaire Jr., (WBO) and Hawaiian Garden?s Abner Mares. (WBC) A Donaire versus Mares unification fight has a lot of positives. First, who ever wins the fight will have an enviable feather in his cap that will surely add more to his legacy as a fighter. That alone is priceless. Further, it will satisfy the call of the boxing world that wants nothing more than see today?s two best super bantamweights fight for all the marbles. And, it may contribute to the ending of the not so brilliant feud between Bob Arum of Top Rank and the De La Hoya/Schaefer tandem of the Golden Boy Promotions. But that is easily said than done. As we all know people with very large egos and deep pockets predominantly run boxing. These folks have plenty of corporate sponsors including the large cable networks and huge beer companies who bankroll their shows. In many instances, their own personal agenda is followed first. Nothing, including the welfare of the fighters and the wishes of the boxing fans, is ever followed when they are in such mode. It is for these reasons that the Donaire-Mares fight may not happen until at least 2014 when reportedly Mares? contract with Golden Boy will expire and he and possibly Espinosa can negotiate a fight contract with Top Rank who owns the rights for Donaire fights. That is in my opinion, the only way for a Donaire-Mares fight to happen. There is no assurance however that will occur. Boxing never follow norms thus there is no assurance of anything. But for sure, with the ego-fueled promoter?s feud going on, Golden Boy Promotions will do its best to keep Mares from deserting their group and prevent Top Rank from making any money off him. That may include a very rich contract for Mares to re-sign with GBP. In addition from what I?ve heard, Mares and Espinosa are real team players. They know that Mares prospered under the guidance of Golden Boy Promotions. In fact Mares is their first true ?home grown champion?, one they nurtured from the very beginning to the present. So it will be difficult for them to leave Golden Boy. With that I guess the ultimate losers will be us the boxing fans. It will be a while before we will see a fight between Donaire and Mares But that?s nothing new. Fans and boxers are always non-factors when promoters' egos come in the picture anyway. Remember the proposed Pacquiao-Mayweather fight? What?s funny however is when fights are made, significant or otherwise we all still pack the venues. Ha, for the love of the sport! Speaking of fights, with the Donaire-Mares fight far from happening, I am certain even at this moment Top Rank is already working to get Donaire a fight in the next two months to satisfy the desire of Donaire to fight four times this year. Two leading candidates are in the picture. First in line is the Cuban spitfire, Guillermo Rigondeaux. Donaire has been aching to flatten the Cuban to shut his mouth off. But there is a problem. Rigondeaux has no followers to speak off. Therefore, money wise a Donaire-Rigondeaux at this time ?will not make cents?. But it would be fun to see Donaire break down the little speed mouth and end the fight with Rigondeaux staring at the lights with his back on the canvas like Jorge Arce. The second most logical fight is with the undefeated Cris John of Indonesia. But that will entail making Donaire come up to the featherweight level, which should be not much of a problem. John will be a good opponent particularly if the fight is held in Asia like Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta. People in that part of the world had lots of cold cash and I am pretty sure they would love to see their boy go up against the 2012 Fighter of the Year, Nonito Donaire. There may also be an outside chance for it to happen in Manila. But that would entail the involvement of the big players in that local scene like ABS-CBN, Solar, PLDT, SMC and GMA. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.  |
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