Nonito "The Flash" Donaire

[Rantcatrat]

As far as legacy goes, gaining titles in multiple weight classes is a good thing and there is no reason to jump to 126 if he can still make 122 safely.

To some people still, I suppose. With the absurd proliferation of BS titles, I don't count it for anything unless we're talking about the true lineal championship or at the very least unifying all of the belts, neither of which Nonito bothered to go for at 115 or 118 anyway. For me, fighting the best competition is more important for legacy than holding different paper titles in three (ridiculous!) classes that span 7 pounds.

The guys you mention at 122 are "good" but they're obviously not as good as the top guys at 126 and there's no fight around these weight classes anywhere near as big/important as Donaire/Gamboa would be. Instead, what will happen is that Gamboa will have outgrown 126 by the time Donaire gets there and we'll never get the fight. Hardly worth it just to see fights against Arce's leftover and, if we're lucky, against some other B+ fighters.

I'm not sure I 100% agree but I hear your point outside of Nishioka and Rigandeaux (I expect to beat Ramos). They're both legitimate competition. The paper belt concept I completely agree with. Better competition is more important than belts. However, he doesn't want to be seen as skipping good competition on his way up in weight.