The reason is obvious. The Donaire-Frampton match will sell better than the Donaire-Rigondeaux rematch.
While
Donaire has an unfinished business with
Rigondeaux, having lost a unanimous decision with the Cuban Olympic gold medalist, a Donaire-Rigondeaux rematch would be difficult to sell because boxing fans do not find Rigondeaux's style exciting or entertaining to watch.
This appears to be the reason why boxing promoters are having a hard time matching him with fighters whose prime considerations are their purse above all other rewards.
There is no question about Rigondeaux's skill and mastery of the sport as shown in the multifarious awards given by international and local sports organizations. But professional boxers
need to please the fans who buy tickets to watch their fights.
In his last fight against Drian Francisco which he won via a unanimous decision, Rigondeux has promised to be more entertaining in his subsequent fights. But fans have yet to see any change in his style as he has not fought since his bout against Francisco.
While
Frampton has yet to respond to Donaire's call as he is actively pursuing another title fight against Leo Santa Cruz, his promoter has mentioned Donaire as a fallback in case the Frampton-Santa Cruz negotiations fall apart.
Frampton was recently stripped of his WBA title for not responding to a mandatory fight with Rigondeaux but the unbeaten Irish fighter is still holding on to his IBF title.
Trainer Shane McGuigan said if the Santa Cruz negotiations fail, there are other prospects for a title fight including the "Filipino Flash" Donaire.
“But hopefully we can get the Santa Cruz fight over the line but if not we have plenty of other fights for Carl,” said McGuigan.
Irish boxer Carl Frampton
Carl Frampton FB
When asked about his possible opponents after the Bedak fight, Donaire said he would prefer a title fight to add one more to his current title and hopefully to unify the division.
"We might just fight a guy who is holding a title, it could be Frampton, or anybody who's fighting for a title or who's holding a title,"
Donaire told OTR boxing.com.
Frampton is very popular in the United Kingdom and in his native Ireland and with Donaire's popularity being a four-division world champion, there is little doubt the fight will be a box office hit especially if it takes place in US or UK.
