By Rick Reeno

Sources from both sides have advised BoxingScene.com that a deal is very close for Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33KOs) to challenge WBA super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux on December 15th at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The main event would feature another super bantamweight collision, with Nonito Donaire defending his IBF title against Mexican star Jorge Arce. HBO would televise both fights.

Poonsawat, a rugged 31-year-old veteran and a former WBA 122-pound champion, will be a stiff test for Rigondeaux. He looked to be virtually unstoppable from September of 2006 to October of 2010, when Ryol Li Lee scored a major upset with a close twelve round decision victory. The Thai veteran has won seven fights since.

The final details are being ironed out, but Rigondeaux has already accepted the fight.