MANILA, Philippines – WBO super bantamweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr. will have the chance to become unified champion after WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux signed on to fight him on April 13.
According to a report by ringtv.com, Pat English, lawyer of Rigondeaux’s manager Gary Hyde, confirmed that the undefeated Cuban signed the contract to face Donaire at a still undisclosed location.
Hyde personally called Top Rank chief Bob Arum to relay the news.
"[English] has called me to say that it has happened and that he had forwarded it to my office," Arum told ringtv.com’s Lem Satterfield. "I believe him, because he's a responsible guy."
The ball is now on Donaire’s court, and Arum is confident that everything will proceed as planned.
"Everything is in the process of happening," said Arum. "When it happens (Donaire signing), it will happen, and then, we'll announce the signing and the site."
According to boxingscene.com, the fight could take place either in New York, Los Angeles or Texas.
“The [Madison Square] Garden is occupied on that date, so we have to look elsewhere, preferably in New York, but can't rule out Los Angeles and Texas," Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez said in the report by boxingscene.com’s Jhonny Gonzales.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Rigondeux defected to the US in 2007 and settled in Miami, a known haven of Cuban boxers who decide to turn professional. He is undefeated in 11 fights, eight of which are knockouts.
Rigondeux expressed confidence in his match-up with Donaire, who is coming off a banner year having been named 2012 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and some media organizations like ESPN and Yahoo! Sports.
“Just tell Nonito to prepare for what's coming,†he said.
Rigondeux ended up as Donaire’s opponent after failed talks between rival companies Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions to arrange a Donaire-Abner Mares fight.
Both Donaire and Rigondeux belong to Top Rank’s stable.