Comments Thread For: Donaire vs. Rigondeuax: Pre-Fight Report Card

[!! Shawn]

by Cliff Rold - This is the sort of fight hardcore fan are always calling for. They were pleasantly surprised to find out they’re getting it. From the moment Cuban defector Guillermo Rigondeaux officially won the WBA belt from Rico Ramos and began calling for Nonito Donaire, this one has been building.

Rigondeuax, arguably the finest amateur of the Cuban Communist era, says he wants it. Now he gets it. No matter the number of amateur fights, and he had more than 400, this is a massive step up in the professional ranks. His demeanor exudes focus and calm without much in the way of the butterflies a younger man might express in his first genuinely big fight.

Will he keep his cool if, when, he tastes the power of Donaire?

Let’s go to the report cards. [Click Here To Read More]

Only giving Rigo a B+ for defense? :/

[crold1]

Only giving Rigo a B+ for defense? :/

At this point? Sure. He's been rocked notably in two of his 11 fights and hasn't fought better than a B level guy...yet. As noted, it could be A but we'll know when he faces an A professional talent.

[!! Shawn]

At this point? Sure. He's been rocked notably in two of his 11 fights and hasn't fought better than a B level guy...yet. As noted, it could be A but we'll know when he faces an A professional talent.

Hes been rocked in 1 fight. I seriously hope you are not counting his glove touching down from being off balance vs Cordoba as getting rocked.

We are talking about a guy that gets touched clean maybe 2 times a fight and you are giving him a B+?

When Donaire comes out of every fight swollen and bruised...? And he get a B+ as well?

[crold1]

Hes been rocked in 1 fight. I seriously hope you are not counting his glove touching down from being off balance vs Cordoba as getting rocked.

We are talking about a guy that gets touched clean maybe 2 times a fight and you are giving him a B+?

When Donaire comes out of every fight swollen and bruised...? And he get a B+ as well?

Donaire is an aggressive fighter so gets touched more. His marked up is rarely that bad. He's pretty good in most fights at keeping range and moving his head and he's seen MUCH better pros. How many times does he really get caught with big shots? Not many. Rigo against Cordoba, it was enough to put him in a shell the rest of the fight. He was rocked. Like I said, I want to see how good his defense is when he's fighting superior comp. I acknowledge it could easily have been an A and one can give the edge to Rigo in this category fairly.

[!! Shawn]

Donaire is an aggressive fighter so gets touched more. His marked up is rarely that bad. He's pretty good in most fights at keeping range and moving his head and he's seen MUCH better pros. How many times does he really get caught with big shots? Not many. Rigo against Cordoba, it was enough to put him in a shell the rest of the fight. He was rocked. Like I said, I want to see how good his defense is when he's fighting superior comp. I acknowledge it could easily have been an A and one can give the edge to Rigo in this category fairly.

Defense isn't a question of "oh he is agressive of course he gets hit more"...

If he gets hit more, his defense is not as good.

Go back and watch to Cordoba fight, he was not rocked, he was off balance coming in, misplaced his foot, and touched his glove. He didn't wobble, didn't buckle, and immediately gave his gloves to the ref to wipe off. He looked surprised it was even being ruled a KD.

Made a prudent decision. He decided that if they were going to rule off balance slips as KD's while he is trying to come in low against Cordoba, he will alter his strategy and play it safe and box from the outside.

He wasn't running from power, he wasn't "in his shell". He changed his game plan.

Last time I checked, fighters in their shell don't posture, mug, and showboat... Rigo was...


http://********/-eCEN-BFVfM?t=24m56s


Serious, watch for yourself. Round 6

[crold1]

Defense isn't a question of "oh he is agressive of course he gets hit more"...

If he gets hit more, his defense is not as good.

Go back and watch to Cordoba fight, he was not rocked, he was off balance coming in, misplaced his foot, and touched his glove. He didn't wobble, didn't buckle, and immediately gave his gloves to the ref to wipe off. He looked surprised it was even being ruled a KD.

Made a prudent decision. He decided that if they were going to rule off balance slips as KD's while he is trying to come in low against Cordoba, he will alter his strategy and play it safe and box from the outside.

He wasn't running from power, he wasn't "in his shell". He changed his game plan.

Last time I checked, fighters in their shell don't posture, mug, and showboat... Rigo was...


http://********/-eCEN-BFVfM?t=24m56s


Serious, watch for yourself. Round 6

I take who they've been fighting into account to.

And I recall the Cordoba fight. Rewatching the KD, it wasn't as rattling as I remember though there is a notable shift in approach right away after a couple get off me shots and I remember him basically stinking it out the rest of the way. He got super safe the rest of the way (some thing at the time I was less critical of than others because, hey, it was like his 7th fight).

Again, I'm not arguing he's defensively excellent. I just think we have to see it tested against top tier stuff before we rate it A. Not really disagreeing with anyone who sees it different. It wouldn't surprise me if he baffles Donaire in spots tonight.

[PunchyPotorff]

In this case I don't agree with the grades on Rigo or Nonito for that matter, so it's Rigo by UD or late stoppage. But either way, this will be a great fight. I don't see it boring unless you just don't like a bit of a chess match mixed with some serious bombs.

[periks19]

Dam rigondeaux easy 3-0 i didnt know it was gonna be this easy but doanire still dangerousn

[periks19]

Damn donaire is gonna go down

[periks19]

Were are the donaire lovers? Hes already proved how donaire lacks boxing even if he wins