Abner Mares vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux Must Be Made in Early 2013

Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KO) was set to defend his WBA super bantamweight world title against Thai fighter Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33 KO) until his opponent tested positive for HIV.

Dan Rafael of ESPN reports that the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration cancelled the match that was set to take place in Houston on Dec. 15.

Rigondeaux would have faced the biggest test of his professional career had he faced Kratingdaenggym. Now without an opponent, there's only one way to turn this unfortunate event into a positive: make a fight with Abner Mares.

Mares (25-0-1, 13 KO) is the undefeated WBC super bantamweight world champion. A fight between the two would be the second-biggest fight possible in the 122-lb division.

Whoever won would undoubtedly set the stage for a clash with the biggest star of the super bantamweight division, Nonito Donaire (30-1, 19 KO).

The only problem with making this match would be its rival promoters, Golden Boy, who represent Mares; and Top Rank, who represent Rigondeaux.

Top Rank and Golden Boy have been intent on not co-promoting an event together for quite some time. But Top Rank recently outbid Golden Boy to host a fight between Top Rank fighter Vanes Martirosyan (32-0-1, 20 KO) and Golden Boy fighter Erislandy Lara (17-1-2, 11 KO).

The match was held on Nov. 10 and was fairly scored a draw. If Mares-Rigondeaux is to happen, one of the promoters must purchase the services of the rival promoter's fighter.

Seeing that Golden Boy allowed Lara to be purchase by Top Rank last time, Top Rank should return the favor and allow Rigondeaux to be purchased this time. The two promoters would be trading one Cuban fighter for the other. If Rigondeaux wins, Top Rank can have an in-house superfight between Donaire and Rigondeaux.

If Mares wins, Top Rank can offer to buy the services of Mares from Golden Boy so they can host the Donaire-Mares matchup.

Otherwise, Mares and Rigondeaux have nothing to do except wait for Donaire to pick one of them. If Rigondeaux and Mares fight, Donaire's next opponent becomes as clear as day.

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