5 Fights to Make at Junior Featherweight

The junior featherweight division is pretty much ignored by all but the most hardcore of boxing fans, but with the entrance of Nonito Donaire and the emergence of a few other quality names, the sport may be seeing a division in the process of developing into something truly interesting.
Here's a look at five bouts in the 122 lb. division that would have fans talking about these little giants:

Nonito Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs) vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux (9-0, 7 KOs)
"The Filipino Flash" has already told the press that he's not interested in a bout with Cuban amateur boxing legend and WBA world champ, Rigondeaux. Plus, Donaire is scheduled to face Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on February 4th for the vacant WBO 122 lb. title. Still, Donaire and Rigondeaux are, arguably, the two best fighters in the division and would produce an interesting clash between two elite-level talents. As fight fans have seen before, matching two high-level fighters in their primes is usually a recipe for a good show.
Toshiaki Nishioka (39-4-3, 24 KOs) vs. Cristian Mijares (44-6-2, 20 KOs)
The only fighter at junior featherweight who can dispute Donaire's and Rigondeaux's claim to dominance is Japan's Nishioka, who also happens to hold the WBC 122 lb. title. Mexico's Mijares is a two-time former super flyweight world champion as well as a minor belt holder at bantamweight. The tough southpaw stylist, Mijares, would be a big name on Nishioka's resume and would represent, possibly, the second biggest win of his career, only overshadowed by another Mexican, Jhonny Gonzalez. For Mijares, a victory would bring a belt and almost instant career redemption for a fighter thought to be on the decline.

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-1-1, 18 KOs) vs. Victor Terrazas (32-2-1, 18 KOs)
Win, lose, or draw against Nonito Donaire in February, the 27-year-old second generation star, Vazquez, has a long career ahead of him and a skill-set that will always earn him consideration as one of the division's best. Mexico's Terrazas just scored an upset win over veteran former world champ, Fernando Montiel, and is the type of hard-as-nails Mexican warrior that Vazquez, who was out-battled by Jorge Arce in mid-2011, will have to conquer if he wants to truly ensure his place among the division's elite.

Jonathan Oquendo (22-2, 15 KOs) vs. Tomoki Kameda (22-0, 14 KOs)
Standing on the fringes of the division's top 10, these two talented junior featherweights are currently fighting their way up to the sport's next level. Puerto Rican battler, Oquendo, is 28 and sports the deeper resume, but Kameda, 20, is a member of the famed Kameda family of Japan and considered a prime, elite-level talent. The winner of Oquendo-Kameda would have truly earned his spot as a top challenger.

Fernando Montiel (46-4-2, 36 KOs) vs. Rafael Marquez (40-7, 36 KOs)
Both Mexican warriors are on the decline and are coming off some high-profile losses. However, both are also guaranteed to put forth a quality effort and would desperately need a win in order to stay relevant. Montiel-Marquez would be a sure-fire war and an "edge of the seat" delight for all true fight fans.
Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. He is also a contributor to Fox Sports. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.