Donaire vs Nishioka, Rios vs Alvarado official for Oct. 13 on HBO

In what is surely one of the best televised double-headers in recent memory, Top Rank has finalized an October 13 card on HBO that will feature a 122-pound title unification bout between Nonito Donaire and Toshiaki Nishioka in the main event, and an on-paper Fight of the Year contender between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado in the co-feature.

Rios said last night that the fight with Alvarado was basically a done deal, but now RingTV.com is reporting that the expected card is truly set, with Bob Arum saying the show is ready to go.

If you have something bad to say about this show, you're an even crazier cynic than I am, which is probably not good for you and you might want to seek therapy or something, because frankly I don't believe you'll ever be happy in life, no matter what. I mean, listen, I don't know you all that well, but jeez...

Where were we? Ah, this double-header. Donaire (29-1, 18 KO) has gone 2-0 this year, beating Wilfredo Vazquez Jr and Jeffrey Mathebula to pick up the WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles. Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KO) has the WBC emeritus or super platinum title or something, and last fought in October of 2011, beating Rafael Marquez in Las Vegas.

The 36-year-old Nishioka is not at his peak powers anymore, I don't believe, but he's a damn sight from being shot, and the clever veteran boxer remains the most accomplished fighter in the division. Donaire beating him really is Donaire taking down the guy who deserves to be called King at 122 right now. Nishioka scoring the win proves that the King isn't ready to give up the throne just yet. It's a compelling fight, and should be high-level stuff.

We talked about Rios-Alvarado last night. I pretty much expect that one to be like Mastodon's "Blood and Thunder": The Fight.