Is Rigondeaux 1-Dimensional

[GrandpaBernard]

Yeah he’s a master outfighter

but what about the other ranges

[Dobyzhee]

But he’s got the best footwork in boxing..

He’s finished. I can see PBC putting him on an undercard that needs to be filled..

[FinlandsFinest]

He is run-dimensional

[Cypocryphy]

He's a great boxer—I mean he was a great boxer—but now he's old and knows that he's not the same fighter that he was. Really, I think that he felt Casimero's power and knew that he wouldn't be able to take too many of his shots, even if he blocked them. He knew that if he got caught that it would be "lights out." So he did what he had to do to make it to the end of the fight and force Casimero to fight his fight. He could have fought a better fight but all the plans went out of the window once Casimero cornered and knocked him down. That changed the whole fight. It wasn't that long ago that he was standing in the pocket, trading with a guy. The difference the other night was Casimero and his power. It changed everything. In that sense, Rigo NOW is a one-dimensional fighter. Because he chooses to be.

[QueensburyRules]

Yeah he’s a master outfighter

but what about the other ranges

- -Rigomortis is Aunt Bernice dimensional, a master fraud...

[-Kev-]

Yes he is.

Some fans and writers like to only mention come-forward fighters are one-dimensional. Because they can’t box any other way.

Well, what happens when a good “boxer-type” can’t actually fight? Meaning, throw combinations, coming forward when it’s a must (behind on scorecards?), have any sort of fire in him? And they can only fight like an amateur, just throw single shots to score a point here and a point there? No sustained action, no combination punches to wow the crowd and judges.

We have seen the most “boring” fighters of the past 20 years get into their fair share of “fights” and show combination punches and landing punches that impress.

Guillermo Rigondeax thinks he should win a fight because he lands three straight left hands and 50% of his punches thrown were safe little jabs that may impress at the Olympics.

Rigondeaux is clearly a phenomenal “boxer” and a master at avoiding getting hit and avoiding any chances for his opponent to hit him by avoiding throwing combination punches and just “not being there” to get hit. Great for him, he likely will retire with his brain 100% healthy.

But at the top level, he is one dimensional. He can’t “fight” any other way. If he is losing on the cards, he will not adjust and become more aggressive. He will keep “boxing” and never putting any 4-5 punch combinations. Just a jab here, a jab there, a straight left hand next round.

How can Canelo be so hard to hit and so defensively good, and also throws 4-5 punches and throws power punches. Gets in front of his opponent, uses upper body movement to avoid punches, and counters right back.

Rigondeaux is far away from his opponent, does not care about making them miss, actually just takes the opportunity of making them miss to run further away from them. Whitaker and Mayweather made opponents miss in the pocket. They had the legs to run away, but they mostly used body movement to elude punches. So that they can be there to counter with a combination. That’s multi-dimensional.

Rigondeaux did very well vs a tame, shy Donaire. Rigo won because he threw more, landed more, landed the better punches, landed more hard shots in more rounds and had Donaire scared of his left hand since round 1 when Rigondeaux first landed it. Casimero was not deterred from Rigo’s left, he did not care, he didn’t become shy.

Rigondeaux’s answer to this was to largely disengage from the fight. No plan B.

[billeau2]

Yeah he’s a master outfighter

but what about the other ranges

Rigo challenges us: The New York Times once did an article where they showcased a knuckle ball pitcher by the name of Wilbur Wood. Wood was portly, not athletic looking by any stretch. I think they may have compared him to a Ballet dancer, or some fine tuned athletic individual... the question was, what do we consider an athlete? The article was provoking us to challenge some of our notions regarding physical talent, athletic stereotypes and success.

One looks at Rigo and asks the question... what is a prize fighter? How much is it about knockouts, exchanges involving blows rained down on each other...Is boxing Gatti, Rocky Balboa? What about fighters like Hank Armstrong. His style was not pleasing, Yet many consider him the best ever... Not as many as Ray Robinson, but for years he would get consideration.

And finally... we get to the Rigos of the world. Fighters who are strategically able to avoid getting drilled. Definitely a skill, but how much of it is integral to boxing? Is there too much? Does Rigo take the concept of avoiding conflict to far?

I think this will be debated, and while we may never come to a concrete answer, we might resolve to understand the issue with more insight.