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by Cliff Rold - If only it were always this easy.
Nonito Donaire wins a belt at 122 lbs. in February. Jeffrey Mathebula wins one in March. In search of opponents, they turn to each other.
In a division without a true champion since Israel Vazquez vacated his crown, the road to unification begins and, maybe, the beginning of another memorable era at Jr. featherweight does as well.
The pieces are in place. The division leader in absentia, Toshiaki Nishioka, will be at ringside to challenge the winner. While Nishioka was forced to give up his WBC belt due to a layoff (of less than a year), his wins over Jhonny Gonzalez and Rafael Marquez are not forgotten.
Also not forgotten is a supporting cast that includes Abner Mares (now with that WBC belt), WBA titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux, and likely to rise WBA bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno. Nishioka and Mathebula are the most veteran of the crew, but neither are past peak. These men, and others rising around them, can be mixed and matched for a couple of years and make every round count. [Click Here To Read More]
Nonito Donaire wins a belt at 122 lbs. in February. Jeffrey Mathebula wins one in March. In search of opponents, they turn to each other.
In a division without a true champion since Israel Vazquez vacated his crown, the road to unification begins and, maybe, the beginning of another memorable era at Jr. featherweight does as well.
The pieces are in place. The division leader in absentia, Toshiaki Nishioka, will be at ringside to challenge the winner. While Nishioka was forced to give up his WBC belt due to a layoff (of less than a year), his wins over Jhonny Gonzalez and Rafael Marquez are not forgotten.
Also not forgotten is a supporting cast that includes Abner Mares (now with that WBC belt), WBA titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux, and likely to rise WBA bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno. Nishioka and Mathebula are the most veteran of the crew, but neither are past peak. These men, and others rising around them, can be mixed and matched for a couple of years and make every round count. [Click Here To Read More]
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