Comments Thread For: Rigondeaux, Rips Donaire, Top Rank Contract Almost Up

[DoktorSleepless]

So let me ask you this, what's worse, going "life n death" vs Cordoba or life n death vs Mathebula? I mean at least Cordoba "KDed" Rigo and was able to close the gap on the cards with it. But Mathebula stole just about every round after the KD from Donaire without dropping him. Pretty sad if you're ranked #4 P4P and you get outboxed by a slow ass bum. I rest my case...

Not only does Donaire attempt to win, he tries to make his fights fan friendly. Faced with a guy who clearly didn't want to engage, Donaire switched it up and became the aggressor, something he rarely does. Donaire could have easily made the fight a stinker like Rigo would have by by fighting a cautious fight in order to win easier and clearer, but he chose not to. The only two times Rigo fought top opposition (if you can even call it that. Comparable to Math at most), he fought two boring cautious fights. What takes more skill? Making a fight entertaining by engaging and taking risks while still winning or fighting a cautious boring fight just for the sake of getting the W?

I like that Rigo was more aggressive against Kennedy, but he was a scrub. It's easy to be aggressive against mediocre opposition. I would like to see Rigo fight someone at least comparable to Math, Ramos, or Cordoba again to see if he could replicate that aggressiveness. Otherwise I'm not interested in ever seeing Rigo fight Donaire. I don't even care whether Donaire is ducking Rigo or not. I'm not trying to live through a fighter. It would be a boring fight. Rigo needs more time to develop his pro style.

[PED Salesman]

No doubt you can compensate, still going in against a fast hard puncher like Donaire, you'd wanna have confidence in your chin, else it could be one dire fight. Bradley Alexander could look like a great investment next to it.

Regardless, Barthelemy was a top dog in the amateurs (beat Gamboa twice), so it's not such a reliable indicator. Look at Jhonson, Ugas, Despaigne. Just a headsup to the posters calling guys like Mathebula bums.

I think Rigondeaux has confidence in his chin. He is asking for the fight himself. And even if Guillermo starts moving and using the ring, and gets super defensive, Donaire won't be able to lure him with his hands down. Rigondeaux is too explosive. It would be an interesting fight, and something new for fans of Nonito.

You're right in that being a great amateur doesn't always translate into being a great pro, but Rigondeaux is so athletically gifted and well-schooled, that it's clear this is one of those instances where it does translate. That's why pro trainers have been raving about the guy since he got to the states (except those with fighters in his weight division lol).

Wouldn't you rather see Donaire fight a guy who appears to be on his level in terms of athleticism? And would you rather Donaire fight him when he's at his physical prime, or when they've both aged a bit? I'm a Donaire fan too, but I want him fighting the best first, not just "names". I'm a boxing fan, not Donaire's manager.

[PED Salesman]

Not only does Donaire attempt to win, he tries to make his fights fan friendly. Faced with a guy who clearly didn't want to engage, Donaire switched it up and became the aggressor, something he rarely does. Donaire could have easily made the fight a stinker like Rigo would have by by fighting a cautious fight in order to win easier and clearer, but he chose not to. The only two times Rigo fought top opposition (if you can even call it that. Comparable to Math at most), he fought two boring cautious fights. What takes more skill? Making a fight entertaining by engaging or fighting a cautious boring fight just for the sake of getting the W?

I like that Rigo was more aggressive against Kennedy, but he was a scrub. It's easy to be aggressive against mediocre opposition. I would like to see Rigo fight someone at least comparable to Math, Ramos, or Cordoba again to see if he could replicate that aggressiveness. Otherwise I'm not interested in ever seeing Rigo fight Donaire. I don't even care whether Donaire is ducking Rigo or not. I'm not trying to live through a fighter. It would be a boring fight. Rigo needs more time to develop his pro style.

I don't think Donaire is aggressive just for the sake of being fan-friendly. I think he drops his hands and makes a fight of it because he knows he can be out-boxed by skilled guys if he's too passive. Doesn't make him a bad fighter. Against most guys he has the natural ability to do it, and he realizes his strength is in making it a bit of a brawl.

[HeroBando]

I think Rigondeaux has confidence in his chin. He is asking for the fight himself. And even if Guillermo starts moving and using the ring, and gets super defensive, Donaire won't be able to lure him with his hands down. Rigondeaux is too explosive. It would be an interesting fight, and something new for fans of Nonito.

You're right in that being a great amateur doesn't always translate into being a great pro, but Rigondeaux is so athletically gifted and well-schooled, that it's clear this is one of those instances where it does translate. That's why pro trainers have been raving about the guy since he got to the states (except those with fighters in his weight division lol).

Wouldn't you rather see Donaire fight a guy who appears to be on his level in terms of athleticism? And would you rather Donaire fight him when he's at his physical prime, or when they've both aged a bit? I'm a Donaire fan too, but I want him fighting the best first, not just "names". I'm a boxing fan, not Donaire's manager.

Sure I'd watch the fight (keeping the expectations in check) I just don't see this mandate. I really wanna see him take some punches from anyone before getting hit by Donaire. He should try Poonsawat, he might be his mandatory. I think even rematching Cordoba would be good, if he put in a much better performance.

[DoktorSleepless]

I don't think Donaire is aggressive just for the sake of being fan-friendly. I think he drops his hands and makes a fight of it because he knows he can be out-boxed by skilled guys if he's too passive. Doesn't make him a bad fighter. Against most guys he has the natural ability to do it, and he realizes his strength is in making it a bit of a brawl.

If Donaire and Mathebula fought a chess match, which would have happened if Donaire didn't engage the way he did, Mathebula would have no chance. Donaire is the counter puncher with the reflexes of a cat here. Playing the wait game would have favored Donaire heavily. Doubt he would be afraid of being outboxed.

Obviously being aggressive is also used as a tactic to win fights like you said, but in the case of Mathebula, Donaire could easily won the fight by playing it safe by just waiting around to counter. I don't think I've ever seen Donaire put pressure on a fighter like that. It simply isn't his style. Donaire (just like Martinez) obviously doesn't excel and isn't as his best when he's the aggressor of the fight (especially when the other guy doesn't want to come forward), but I believe he did it anyway to make the fight more fan friendly.

[El Angel]

Cubans and Top Rank just don't mix. Donaire fight isn't going to happen anyway. Might as well change promoters and go for another big name.

[Xeraser]

dude, cordoba was 3 years ago & the knock down wasn't a real knock down (off balance more then anything, followed by a cordoba grazing shot)

rigo obviously has stepped up his skills & aggressiveness......

If he was off balance like you describe then why would he put his track shoes the rest of the fight. Action speaks louder than words. He got hurt so he ran away.
Rigo did not step his skills or aggressiveness. Rigo actually look good.just like in his last 2 fights until Cordoba caught him. Rigo skills has the making of great fighter but his chin remained a suspect.

[Jerub Baal]

Too bad indeed. Yes, why wouldn't I. Do you think that highly of Ramos and Kennedy? Rigondeaux best win was against a shopworn Cordebo. And, he didn't look elite, looked quite average

you must be new to boxing

[PED Salesman]

Sure I'd watch the fight (keeping the expectations in check) I just don't see this mandate. I really wanna see him take some punches from anyone before getting hit by Donaire. He should try Poonsawat, he might be his mandatory. I think even rematching Cordoba would be good, if he put in a much better performance.

I just don't see Poonsawat or Cordoba dominating Ramos and Teon Kennedy like that, even if they were green prospects. Only guy I see with the potential to blow them out of the water like that is Donaire.

[Mr. Philadel]

rewind the clock a lil' bit.....the LHW division has a 40 something yr old champ...but the boxing fans saw the 20 something yr old Chad Dawson as the TRUE king...so they wanted the 2 to clash....fans of the 40 something yr old said BRING IT ON!!!!!!....lets EXECUTE the young punk!!...oh man, we wanted it because it was the fight that had RESPECT attached to it

back to the present day, other bases don't want their dude to fight somebody who MIGHT can tax them...I don't know why fans defend duck moves so much....smh