By Ryan Maquiñana
Gary Hyde, the manager of WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8KOs), has advised BoxingScene.com that a deal was reached to fight Thailand's rugged former beltholder Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33KOs) on December 15th at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
There was some discussion about a fight with Filipino contender Drian Francisco (23-1-1, 18KOs), but Hyde says that fight will not happen and Rigondeaux has already signed a contract for Poonsawat.
The main event will feature another super bantamweight collision, with Nonito Donaire defending his WBC Diamond/WBO titles against Mexican star Jorge Arce. HBO will televise both fights.
Rigondeaux's manager sent BoxingScene.com this statement via email:
"I am delighted with the choice of Rigondeaux's next opponent Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym. Poonsawat is one of the top fighters in the [122-pound] division and we are delighted he has accepted the fight. This is definitely the toughest challenge that we could have taken as he is ranked [number three] in the division by [Ring Magazine], but that being said I feel [Rigondeaux] has the tools to dismantle the Thai fighter and look impressive in doing so. I will make sure [Rigondeaux] brings his 'A' game on December 15th as I witnessed the Thai's brutal attack of Bernard Dunne in 2009. [Rigondeaux] spent some time with Bernard last year in Ireland, and he will be looking to give him and Irish boxing fans some sweet revenge while stealing the show from Nonito Donaire."
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