Former flyweight and super flyweight titlist Nonito ?Filipino Flash? Donaire (24-1, 16 KO) will take top billing on another of Top Rank?s self-distributed pay-per-view cards on Saturday December 4, 2010, when he makes his first trip up to the bantamweight division to challenge former champion Wladimir Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KO). Donaire and Sidorenko take the top spot following the last-minute withdrawals of principles Alfonso Gomez (injury) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (illness). The televised portion of the event will begin at 9pm EST, and will be held at The Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
While some might consider the light-hitting Sidorenko a soft touch and a perfect opponent to test oneself in a new division, a lot is at stake for the flashy Filipino from San Leandro, California. Donaire has signed a contract which guarantees him a February shot at WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel. The icing on the cake is a ?save the date? from the premiere network in boxing; HBO. In order to keep his shot at Montiel, Donaire must first defeat Sidorenko.
Some might call this the perfect trap fight, while others say it is a worthy replacement to headline a mid-level pay-per-view event.
Donaire?s last few fights, which were also on Top Rank-distributed pay-per-view cards, were against poor competition. Donaire acknowledged his recent level of competition in a recent interview with Official Scorecard, and expressed his happiness with the recent turn for better fortunes.
In order for Donaire to rightfully become an elite name in the sport, the time for him to make a statement is now.
Also on the undercard will be, what could turn out to be an exciting slugfest between WBC lightweight champion Humberto ?La Zorrita? Soto (53-7-2, 32 KO) and Urbano Antillon (28-1, 20 KO). This fight between two proud Mexican warriors has now moved up to the co-feature, and will be the last bout before Donaire-Sidorenko.
After a week of drastic changes to a fight card ready to go on display, Top Rank has done an excellent job of maneuvering around the injuries and illnesses to bring boxing fans quality entertainment to begin their month.
