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I just finished watching a whole bunch of Rigo fights.
What I saw was decline. Go back a couple of years and Rigo's main weapon was his control of distance, his ability to move back and forward was faster than any fighter could throw. Plus a lightning fast left hand. So he would stand, move back, forward, pretty much untouchable, then throw the left when he saw the opening, and throw the left at a speed where the opponent couldn't even react.
His strength was also his weakness, he didn't need any other tools than managing the distance and his left. Just those two alone beat everyone. He showed lateral movement every now and then, also a right, but quite simply hardly ever needed any other tools than the primary two, so they were and are undeveloped.
What has happened in the last couple of years is that his control of distance has lessened, his cat like reflexes aren't what they were 6 years ago. 6 years ago he could avoid anything thrown with his hands at his sides, just moving his feet back and forth - didn't even need head movement apart from tilting his head back every now and then. His stance has now widened and he's not controlling distance like he used to, he's basically slowing down. He's 36, and inactivity plays a part too, but he's not the same guy he was in the amateur years.
Rigo still has control of the distance, but its not as complete as it used to be, and he's having to fall back on other skills that he's had, but neglected down the years as he's never needed them before. His left is still fast, but not as fast as it was. He's ageing in every fight.
He'll never fight Loma for lots of reasons (weight being the main one), bit its time to start talking about prime Rigo vs Loma as a fantasy match-up. Rigo's days are numbered before his stance widens even further and his movement to control distance and reflexes just aren't there any more - he will box like they are, but he'll be catching shots that would never have got close to touching him before.
Sergio Martinez had the same primary weapon - control of distance. When he wasn't mixing it up with Paul Williams, prime Martinez was also untouchable for the same reasons Rigo was. Take Martinez's control of distance away (when he knees went), and you get the Murray and Cotto fights.
And Martinez/Williams is a clue - Williams' rep at the time was 'most avoided fighter' for a reason, and his rep also included an iron chin. He didn't let you control distance as he jumped on you from the opening bell and stayed there till the end of the 12th. Martinez had no choice but to give up his control of distance and return fire, and that's what went down. Who unravels Rigo right now ? Santa Cruz. Similar MO to Williams, and Rigo would be forced into a firefight where he's never been comfortable. Martinez was comfortable in a firefight, not his first choice, but he could go there if forced, as he proved. I don't think Rigo can. He's never been there as he's never been close to needing to - Santa Cruz would take him somewhere he's never been before, and doesn't like.
What I saw was decline. Go back a couple of years and Rigo's main weapon was his control of distance, his ability to move back and forward was faster than any fighter could throw. Plus a lightning fast left hand. So he would stand, move back, forward, pretty much untouchable, then throw the left when he saw the opening, and throw the left at a speed where the opponent couldn't even react.
His strength was also his weakness, he didn't need any other tools than managing the distance and his left. Just those two alone beat everyone. He showed lateral movement every now and then, also a right, but quite simply hardly ever needed any other tools than the primary two, so they were and are undeveloped.
What has happened in the last couple of years is that his control of distance has lessened, his cat like reflexes aren't what they were 6 years ago. 6 years ago he could avoid anything thrown with his hands at his sides, just moving his feet back and forth - didn't even need head movement apart from tilting his head back every now and then. His stance has now widened and he's not controlling distance like he used to, he's basically slowing down. He's 36, and inactivity plays a part too, but he's not the same guy he was in the amateur years.
Rigo still has control of the distance, but its not as complete as it used to be, and he's having to fall back on other skills that he's had, but neglected down the years as he's never needed them before. His left is still fast, but not as fast as it was. He's ageing in every fight.
He'll never fight Loma for lots of reasons (weight being the main one), bit its time to start talking about prime Rigo vs Loma as a fantasy match-up. Rigo's days are numbered before his stance widens even further and his movement to control distance and reflexes just aren't there any more - he will box like they are, but he'll be catching shots that would never have got close to touching him before.
Sergio Martinez had the same primary weapon - control of distance. When he wasn't mixing it up with Paul Williams, prime Martinez was also untouchable for the same reasons Rigo was. Take Martinez's control of distance away (when he knees went), and you get the Murray and Cotto fights.
And Martinez/Williams is a clue - Williams' rep at the time was 'most avoided fighter' for a reason, and his rep also included an iron chin. He didn't let you control distance as he jumped on you from the opening bell and stayed there till the end of the 12th. Martinez had no choice but to give up his control of distance and return fire, and that's what went down. Who unravels Rigo right now ? Santa Cruz. Similar MO to Williams, and Rigo would be forced into a firefight where he's never been comfortable. Martinez was comfortable in a firefight, not his first choice, but he could go there if forced, as he proved. I don't think Rigo can. He's never been there as he's never been close to needing to - Santa Cruz would take him somewhere he's never been before, and doesn't like.
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