Nonito "The Flash" Donaire

[Mars_ax]

Nonito has a big fight in February against Vasquez. While I can think of a few opponents I would prefer to see Nonito fight, it's his first fight at 122 and against someone who compares in size to Donaire. Thus, I understand why Donaire took this fight. However, I view February's fight as a baby step in terms of Donaire's progression because Vasquez isn't on his level in terms of skill. This post may be a bit premature, but it's worth mentioning because I can easily see it happening: I don't want to see Donaire face Arce at 122. There are just too many fights out there that are much better. If you take into consideration the bantamweight division where there are good challengers in Mares, Agbecko and Moreno, and the guys at super bantamweight in Rigonadeaux, Ramos, Nishioka, Kratingdaengym, Arce is just a poor choice for his next fight. I understand Arum said that Nishioka was open to a fight in the late Spring, which would be a fantastic fight, but if it can't happen, here's hoping that Donaire makes a better decision than Arce. Arce is a popular fighter and it may be the best financial option. It's just not the best option. That is all.

Donaire would annihilate Arce, so I hope that fight never happens. I just like seeing Donaire fight, so Vazquez will be OK next, and then my pick would be Mares after that.

[Rantcatrat]

Nonito has a big fight in February against Vasquez. While I can think of a few opponents I would prefer to see Nonito fight, it's his first fight at 122 and against someone who compares in size to Donaire. Thus, I understand why Donaire took this fight. However, I view February's fight as a baby step in terms of Donaire's progression because Vasquez isn't on his level in terms of skill. This post may be a bit premature, but it's worth mentioning because I can easily see it happening: I don't want to see Donaire face Arce at 122. There are just too many fights out there that are much better. If you take into consideration the bantamweight division where there are good challengers in Mares, Agbecko and Moreno, and the guys at super bantamweight in Rigonadeaux, Ramos, Nishioka, Kratingdaengym, Arce is just a poor choice for his next fight. I understand Arum said that Nishioka was open to a fight in the late Spring, which would be a fantastic fight, but if it can't happen, here's hoping that Donaire makes a better decision than Arce. Arce is a popular fighter and it may be the best financial option. It's just not the best option. That is all.

Donaire would annihilate Arce, so I hope that fight never happens. I just like seeing Donaire fight, so Vazquez will be OK next, and then my pick would be Mares after that.

Nishioka or the Rigandeaux/Ramos winner if he is staying at 122 after the Vasquez fight.

Mares or Moreno if he is moving down to 118. Those are his only good options, right?

I rank Rigandeaux and Donaire as the best in the lighter weight classes. That's the fight I really want to see. However, Nishioka is good too. Anything else would be a disappointment.

[Manos de Piedra]

It will be a good fight whilst it lasts. Donaire will have too much for Vasquez jr and stops him mid way.

[shza]

Nishioka or the Rigandeaux/Ramos winner if he is staying at 122 after the Vasquez fight.

Mares or Moreno if he is moving down to 118. Those are his only good options, right?

I rank Rigandeaux and Donaire as the best in the lighter weight classes. That's the fight I really want to see. However, Nishioka is good too. Anything else would be a disappointment.

I agree with Nishioka or the Rigandeaux/Ramos winner. No other fights I'd care to see him in at 122. This fight against Arce's leftover is deeply disappointing to me, even as a first fight at the weight.

If he can't/won't make those fights, he should go immediately to 126 where the much bigger and better fights are. There's no chance of him going back to 118 -- he's said he had trouble making that weight. Much better fights at 126 anyway. He's at least 3 inches taller than Vasquez at 122 as is.

I really wish he'd skipped 122 altogether -- a mediocre division and a waste of his prime, IMO.

[Rantcatrat]

Nishioka or the Rigandeaux/Ramos winner if he is staying at 122 after the Vasquez fight.

Mares or Moreno if he is moving down to 118. Those are his only good options, right?

I rank Rigandeaux and Donaire as the best in the lighter weight classes. That's the fight I really want to see. However, Nishioka is good too. Anything else would be a disappointment.

I agree with Nishioka or the Rigandeaux/Ramos winner. No other fights I'd care to see him in at 122. This fight against Arce's leftover is deeply disappointing to me, even as a first fight at the weight.

If he can't/won't make those fights, he should go immediately to 126 where the much bigger and better fights are. There's no chance of him going back to 118 -- he's said he had trouble making that weight. Much better fights at 126 anyway. He's at least 3 inches taller than Vasquez at 122 as is.

I really wish he'd skipped 122 altogether -- a mediocre division and a waste of his prime, IMO.

Nishioka is a good fight as is the winner of Rigandeaux/Ramos. 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. Maybe moving down to 118 is the wrong move if he had trouble making weight though.

[shza]

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.

[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.

[shza]

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.

I think that ship has sailed. He didn't fight Mares or Moreno at 118. Or Agbeko. And I really don't think anyone would think of it as ducking Nishioka or Rigandeaux if Nonito fought JuanMa or Gamboa instead.