By Jake Donovan
A 12-round showdown between Nonito Donaire and Cesar Juarez was already confirmed by the time unbeaten World super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux was derecognized by the World Boxing Organization (WBO). The two are still on course to collide this weekend in San Juan, Puertu Rico, though with the stakes significantly raised prior to the opening bell.
The already scheduled super bantamweight bout – which airs live on truTV (Friday, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT) along with the ring return of San Juan’s own Felix Verdejo - currently carries a WBO International title on the line. At one point, promoter Top Rank sought to have the fight sanctioned as a final eliminator, with the winner to get a crack at Rigondeaux.
Those plans shifted to lobbying for this weekend’s co-feature to be contested for the vacant title. Six weeks after the unbeaten Cuban southpaw was stripped of his title, the Top Rank staff is still awaiting word on whether or not said belt will be on the line
“We expect an announcement in the coming days,” Top Rank VP of Operations Carl Moretti confirmed during a recent media conference call. “It will come before the weigh-in and before the fight – they will know by that time for sure, whether or not they’re fighting for a world title.”
Part of the hang-up stems from Rigondeaux and his team appealing the WBO’s ruling, which was made in late October during its annual convention in Orlando, Florida. The basis of his being stripped stemmed from having not fought since last December, as well as the failure to make a mandatory title defense in a timely fashion.
While the appeal process plays out, Donaire (35-3, 23KOs) remains focused on what’s immediately in his control – namely his upcoming scheduled 12-round showdown this weekend.
“I’m ready for any opportunity,” the 33-year old former four-division champ notes of the up-in-the-air title status surrounding Friday’s fight with Juarez.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
