But it is doubtful if either Quigg or Frampton would be willing to resume training for a possible fight with Donaire before the second half of next year following their Feb. 27 bout. Even if Donaire returns in May next year, that would only allow the winner of the Quigg-Frampton fight barely three months to prepare.
Donaire fought three times this year and it is likely he will do another three fights next year. If he decides to return in April or May, chances are he may end up facing Guillermo Rigondeaux, who is looking for a lucrative fight next year following his victory over Filipino challenger Drian Francisco last Nov. 21 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.
It is unlikely though that Donaire’s promoter Bob Arum would pick Rigondeaux in a rematch with Donaire following the difficulty he has experienced in selling a Rigondeaux bout due to his boring presence in the ring.
But Rigondeaux has promised boxing fans that he will be more explosive and possibly more entertaining to watch now that he is being promoted by Roc Nation Sports.
“I definitely wanted to give the fans a better fight so I need to get back into the gym, get more active to give a better performance. I promise with the tools I have now after signing with Roc Nation that next time I’ll be explosive.” Rigondeaux said after his victory over Francisco in Las Vegas.
Unless Donaire is comfortable fighting fellow Filipino bantamweight challengers Genesis Servania and Albert Pagara, who are both ranking challengers in the 122 pounds limit, he has little option but to take on a rematch with Rigondeaux.
Although Donaire would likely welcome a lucrative fight against Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Vasyl Lomachenko and a rematch against Nicholas Walters, the 33-year-old Filipino American knew that he isn’t made to compete in the 126 weight limit (featherweight).
Still, the lure of big money fights would be very tempting for Donaire to turn down when any of the featherweight challengers would volunteer to come down to his weight limit for a lucrative showdown.
