Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez 'The One' Showdown has suddenly become a much more interesting boxing event after Golden Boy Promotions decided to add the bout between Danny Garcia and Lucas Matthysse as the undercard to the main event.
Many boxing followers believe 'The One' is easily the biggest PPV boxing offering of the year following Golden Boy Promotion's announcement.
However, its rival promotion Top-Rank boxing might have a nice counter to that.
With Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios all set to kick off its promotional tour on Saturday at Venetian Macao in Macau, China, Top-Rank Promotion seems to be brewing something that will really spice up the card.
ESPN Reporter Dan Rafael reported this week about the possibility of putting Cuban technical fighter Guillermo Rigondeaux in the undercard of Pacquiao-Rios showdown because of HBO's hesitancy of putting the Cuban on their PPV slate primarily due to his technical yet boring boxing style.
"Assuming HBO doesn't change its stance on Rigondeaux, he likely will fight on the Pacquiao-Rios undercard," Rafael posted on his Twitter account.
On the other hand, Nonito Donaire has been eager to redeem himself in the eyes of boxing fans after losing his WBO and the Ring Magazine belts along with the recognition as the best Super Bantamweight in the world to Rigondeaux last April. Donaire is currently being pitted against Vic Darchinyan, but the Filipino Flash is still unsure of his next opponent.
There's no doubt Top-Rank is hoping the Pacquiao-Rios bout will generate enough buzz for them to penetrate China's big market. Therefore, it's very much logical to think that the promotion will go all in on this one.
The second battle between Donaire and Rigondeaux appears to be a very good appetizer before the main course. Unlike the first battle, the second meeting of these two gladiators will be more explosive and way brutal as both of them try to prove something in the ring. For Donaire, a win will re-validate his claim as the best in the division. On the other hand, Rigondeaux wants to show he can give thrill to fans by winning fights emphatically.
Donaire-Rigondeaux as undercard for Pacquiao-Rios: Battle in Cotai rumble will be great for boxing. For at last after a long wait, promoters finally offer top-notch boxing from top to bottom. However, it's all up for Top-Rank to make it happen.