The question popped into my email box almost the minute it was announced: Should the fight between Toshiaki Nishioka and Nonito Donaire on Oct. 13 be for the vacant RING junior featherweight championship?
Nishioka, the polished veteran from Japan, is rated No. 1 among 122-pounders. Donaire, the pound-for-pound star, is the No. 3 junior featherweight. The complicating factor is former Cuban amateur star Guillermo Rigondeaux, who is rated No. 2.
I had my reservations. After all, Rigondeaux (10-0, 8 knockouts) is rated higher than Donaire and has looked sensational in recent fights, including knockouts of Rico Ramos (rated No. 2 at the time) and Teon Kennedy. He is considered a rising star.
Thus, THE RING Editorial board ? with input from the Ratings Panel ? had to make a strong case for Donaire before designating the Oct. 13 clash a championship fight. And it did.
In no particular order: Donaire has fought only twice as a full-fledged 122-pounder but his two victories ? over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and Jeffrey Mathebula ? carry a great deal of weight, probably more than the Cuban?s victories over Ramos and Kennedy.
Donaire holds two of the four major junior featherweight belts, those of the IBF and WBO. Rigondeaux is the WBA titleholder.
Donaire is rated No. 4 pound for pound, which gives him added credibility. Rigondeaux is not in the pound-for-pound Top 10.
Donaire, a four-time major titleholder in three weight divisions, has a sterling track record in lower divisions ? certainly better than Rigondeaux?s professional resume. Past accomplishments have always been a consideration in rating fighters.
These are impressive credentials, making Donaire a worthy enough No. 3 contender to fight for the championship under a new RING policy that allows No. 1 or No. 2 to fight Nos. 3, 4 or 5 if the Editorial Board believes it makes sense.
In this case, it does. So this is it: Nishioka, the No. 1 122-pounder in the world, vs. Donaire, No. 4 pound for pound, for THE RING junior featherweight championship.
Then, if all the planets align properly, Rigondeaux ? who shares a promoter with Donaire ? will fight the winner.
RING RATINGS UPDATE
There are no changes in the ratings this week.
