After watching Mares and Rigondeax's last few fights I'm convinced that

that doesn't mean he will have fought anyone worth a damn by then. its about time to move russel on up and see what happens. I like him, but ts is jumping the gun including him in the few elite fighters in the world that would give nonito trouble. ruseel is just now fighting the fringest of contenders and almost nobody's. Russells time is coming. He will have his chance to prove himself. He's a highly skilled kid. A true southpaw too. There aren't that many elite pure southpaws today. Can he become one, that remains to be seen. I'm not sold yet either. Still waiting for his test. Stylistically I think he could give Donaire fits right now.

by the time donaire moves up to 126 russell will have a title. that doesn't mean he will have fought anyone worth a damn by then. its about time to move russel on up and see what happens. I like him, but ts is jumping the gun including him in the few elite fighters in the world that would give nonito trouble. ruseel is just now fighting the fringest of contenders and almost nobody's.

Donaire is unbeatable. Yeah ok. Mares and Rigo give him a tough fight and possibly beat him. GTFO with this ****.

I think Nonito beats them both. Rigo is a great technical fighter who I've personally seen up close but he's too stuck in the amateur style that really isn't gonna play into beating Donaire. Mares is an exciting fighter and has skills as well, but he tends to get reckless and that would be a huge mistake against Donaire. Well said.

Please stop with the "Nonito so good he doesnt even need to fight anyone" BS. He already ducked his last division toughest and your'e already giving him the green light to duck this divisions too. And lets get one thing straight. Moreno >>>>>>> Nishi. Even at 122. Who beat the better 122 guy? Mares. Who should be #1 right now? Mares. Out of these 3 matches which was fought the highest skill: Rigo vs Marroquin, Donaire vs Nishi, Mares vs Moreno? You know which one is. I will give you a hint, it defintiely wasn't the one with the guy talking about retirement. Moreno, Rigo, Mares would all be favorite to beat Nishi, Mathebula and Vasquez. Only difference is Nonito has his Pac gimmick going on and he is the one getting those fights. Let Nonito fight some decent fighters, not some folks who he is already a massive favorite to beat. Also, lets put the one punch KO myth to bed already. Hasnt happened in a bit, doubt its happening at higher weights (unless he drops Conte for Ariza).So Donaire is a suspect cheater that I think is so good that he doesn't need to fight anyone huh? Lmfao!

I think Nonito beats them both. Rigo is a great technical fighter who I've personally seen up close but he's too stuck in the amateur style that really isn't gonna play into beating Donaire. Mares is an exciting fighter and has skills as well, but he tends to get reckless and that would be a huge mistake against Donaire.

they pose no threat to Nonito Donaire. They are not strong enough nor talented enough to beat Donaire. Donaire would brutalitze Santa Cruz too. Donaire is on top of his game right now, and only a Russell, John, Gamboa, or Salido will give Donaire a fight under 130. Please stop with the "Nonito so good he doesnt even need to fight anyone" BS. He already ducked his last division toughest and your'e already giving him the green light to duck this divisions too. And lets get one thing straight. Moreno >>>>>>> Nishi. Even at 122. Who beat the better 122 guy? Mares. Who should be #1 right now? Mares. Out of these 3 matches which was fought the highest skill: Rigo vs Marroquin, Donaire vs Nishi, Mares vs Moreno? You know which one is. I will give you a hint, it defintiely wasn't the one with the guy talking about retirement. Moreno, Rigo, Mares would all be favorite to beat Nishi, Mathebula and Vasquez. Only difference is Nonito has his Pac gimmick going on and he is the one getting those fights. Let Nonito fight some decent fighters, not some folks who he is already a massive favorite to beat. Also, lets put the one punch KO myth to bed already. Hasnt happened in a bit, doubt its happening at higher weights (unless he drops Conte for Ariza).

seems pretty obvious to me. very few fighters out there below 130 that can give donaire a fight. never been quite certain why everyone was sayin rigo could beat donaire. forget mares, he obviously stands no chance, rigo has the best chance, gamboa also, but still, donaire is no slouch!

Me personally, I think Donaire is a good fighter but I think both guys can beat him or make it really close The WV2 fight was a good fight and WV2 was putting hands on Nonito. I think Rigo and Abner are more talented and can replicate the WV2's success and do more with it.

Russell????? Gtfo. Until he fights a fringe contender at least you should leave him out of this. Donaire takes his soul. by the time donaire moves up to 126 russell will have a title.

Russell????? Gtfo. Until he fights a fringe contender at least you should leave him out of this. Donaire takes his soul.

I think Mares has absolutely no chance....not because he ain't good or hungry enough, but because Donaire is way too powerful for him......the only type of fighter who can beat Donaire at this division is a defensive counter offensive fighter, and even that, it'll be a points win.. Abner Mares got hit at will by Moreno, but Moreno is a very small fighter...imagine those hits on Mares, it'll be goodnight for him...the pressure fighter will fail (unless he too possesses top power and an iron chin)...Nishioka tried it for a few rounds and got nowhere...Mares doesn't have power, he's small. WV2 did not too bad, had he had a bit more power it would have been a game changer. I'd love to see Mares beat him, but sorry, power wins this one. I give Rigo a much better chance as he is a defensive beast, but he too would have to land a bit more regular than usual. Mares - puts up a tough fight but finally succumbs to power Rigo - 50/50 fight. Once Donaire moves to 126, the ball game will change completely tho...that's where we'll see how good he is.

Donaire Mares is the fight to make, but imo it won't be a fight. Donaire is one of the best fighters in the world. Mares has nothing in his arsenal that can stop Donaire except possibly low blows lol.

Well I see Donaire knocking out Mares and Rigondeaux brutally but Moreno would give him a lot of trouble. It's a shame we'll probably never see that fight.

whom poses the only possible threat to nonito 122 no one, literally 126, russell but even still he has a bad right hand, so fars fought 8 rounders nd nonito send him flying from a hook mid exchange. lol 126, mikey garcia.. never happening, they have the same trainer nd are probably buddies 130, gamboa, biggest threat, effective nd unpredictable aggression will give the technical donaire an issue until he calculates his punches as far as salido, he's babyfood. feed him to the others in the division

Mares is a threat to anyone when he's allowed to foul at will with no repercussions. I hope Donaire-Mares gets made, and I hope the ref isn't bought off.

People keep doubting Mares but he keeps winning. Yes Donaire would be a difficult fight for him but let's not act like Donaire is some boxing virtuoso, the guy has plenty of flaws that could favor Mares. I think Mares has a chance if he can take Donaire's shots and smother him and work his body, he can win an easy UD by outworking him. Rigo is hard to judge, but he has the tools to beat Donaire as well. Can't fault people for making Donaire the fav in these fights, but both guys have a good shot. Too bad Nonito is not as eager to get inside the ring with them as they are.

Mares reminds me of Juan Diaz! Hes good at pressuring, and throwing lots of punches, but he just doesn't really have the power to make that a prudent style for him. Soon as he runs into someone who takes their time, and can punch, its all over for him.

I think given all of their history u would have to favor Donaire.....

donaire beats both but i still want to see the fights especially the mares one. Mares is a great young fighter but he still employs the typical mexican brawling style which ALMOST ALWAYS gets beaten by slick counter punchers something that donaire is with power in both hands augmented by superior athleticism. Just watch the anselmo moeno vs darchinyan fights and the mares vs darchinyan fights. Mares biggest problem with donaire? His height. He's only what 5'4? donaire is damn near 5'7 and he's the faster, slicker, and more athletic fighter. Mares would find it difficult. Look at how moreno was counter punching mares. Imagine a more aggressive, faster, slicker, and harder hitting fighter doing that to mares. Nobody beats donaire at 122. They cannot match his speed, size, power, and more importantly they cant match him athletically. 126 is where donaire gets tested vs russell jr who can match donaire's speed and athleticism and Garcia who is just a terrific all around fighter. Mares and Rigo pose no threat to donaire but i still want to see both fights the mares fight more than the rigo one. If donaire fights mares at 122 and moves up without fighting rigo im fine by that. You're right, if Donaire is smart he sticks around as long as possible at 122, his run ends at 126. Rigo, Mares, line em up, heck go for Moreno after if his stock is still high.