In a sudden turn of events Mike Coppinger cites a source indicating that WBC bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KO) will replace Guillermo Rigondeaux against WBO titleholder John Riel Casimero (30-4, 21 KO) on August 14, now making the previously scheduled bout a bantamweight unification match.
According to Coppinger’s source PBC saw this as a great opportunity to stage a unification match between the two Filipino champions after Donaire scored his latest big win when he beat Nordine Oubaali to win the WBC strap. Rigondeaux, who isn’t injured, willingly stepped aside to allow this fight to take place with him being set up to face the unified winner.
Obviously this is exciting news, and let’s give Donaire all his flowers as he continues to demonstrate true championship level determination and skill in what should otherwise be the twilight of his career. And if Donaire should pull off the win here, it seems he’ll get his shot at redemption — another chance to fight Rigondeaux who back in 2013 put an abrupt halt to his meteoric rise to stardom.