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Top Rank hasn't fully finalized the April 13 HBO main event fight between Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux, as it has not yet been decided where the bout will take place. According to a Top Rank rep, New York is still the favored location, and there has been talk of placing the bout at Radio City Music Hall, but Los Angeles and Texas are also still in play.
Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KO) says that he's ready to go, now that Top Rank and Caribe Promotions have settled their legal dispute over his career and contract:
"I am very happy that finally we're going to have this fight that so many people have been waiting for. ... Now I can look at this date of April 13th without any worries. Just tell Nonito to prepare for what's coming."
The 32-year-old Cuban enters this fight with new trainer Pedro Diaz at his side, and it's a fight that could sort of define his pro career. An all-time great amateur, Rigondeaux has had huge expectations for his pro career ever since he debuted in 2009. Thus far, while he's been very successful, he hasn't quite met the hype. A win over Donaire would vault him into pound-for-pound talk.
No matter where it winds up, though, or what happens on fight night, it's good to have this one on the schedule. It's seen as one of the real challenges out there for both men, so it's nice to have them each taking that plunge.