Let's get the conversation started before Filipino-American Nonito Donaire Jr. beats speedy Cuban and two time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux in their world junior featherweight title bout (HBO) Saturday night at Radio Music Hall.
What convo, you say?
The same one that used to have Manny Pacquiao's name mentioned alongside, in front of or just right behind America's undefeated, dazzling ringmaster Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Most would still consider, I believe "Money" to be atop the Pound For Pound totem pole and I can't really strenuously argue that.
All this pundit is saying is it's time to give the 31-1, 20 KOs Donaire, age 31, real consideration to either take the mythical top man spot now or very soon.
A superb peformance against the 11-0, eight knockouts Rigondeaux would certainly boost Donaire's voting bloc.
Donaire's array of ring skills have long been apparent but it seems to me that both he and gifted trainer, Robert Garcia (only age 38), are peaking at the same time.
Garcia will accept the Eddie Futch best trainer award from the Boxing Writers Thursday night and he will likely win the honor that seemed to be Coach Freddie Roach's personal property many more times.
I dined with Garcia Tuesday night at Ecco downtown and I think he sees chinks in Guillermos armor.
The Oxnard, California, trainer and ex-IBF junior lightweight champion thinks Rigondeaux will eventually open up and let it rip.
"He will wait for Nonito to make a mistake first," Garcia said.
"But Nonito rarely makes a ring mistake," I said.
"Exactly," said Garcia, smiling brightly.
Garcia likes his horse and the course.
I'm sensing a breakout peformance, a grand victory on the Big Stage in the Big Town, for the guy whose names is rightfully being mentioned as P4P king.
If he's not the king, then Donaire is certainly a prince.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
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