Naseem Hamed vs Nonito Donaire - who wins

[deejd]

I just cant see hamed outboxing him over 12. Donaire loosing a wide decision to Rigo means nothing because Rigo and Hamed are complete opposites.

Couldn't care less about how opposite Rigo and Hamed's styles are; I'm more intrigued by Donaire's answer to an opponent that could affect his game plan (land the hook) with their punch power.

[deejd]

Definitely. Hamed was one of the hardest punchers of all time.

I think that's where most of us are disagreeing pertaining to Donaire-Hamed. If Rigo's punching ability was able to divert Donaire from taking the usual risks he takes against less athletically gifted fighters and fighters with less one-punch power, than what happens if Hamed hits him flush. Forget the knockout altogether... Does Donaire allow Hamed to dictate the pace the way he allowed Rigo to control the fight??

[dannnnn]

I'd favour prime Naz over both. I wouldn't give Nonito much of a chance either. He's not a big 122lber and doesn't belong at 126, all the advantages in that fight go to Hamed. Rigondeaux would be a more interesting fight, although people tend to underestimate Hamed's boxing ability, his ability to slip and counter from unorthodox angles. Rigo may have seen a lot of styles in his long amateur career, but there's never been anyone else quite like Naz. The guy had lightning fast reflexes in his prime and freakish power for 126. He could end the fight with one punch or Rigondeaux could outbox him to a decision. It's a fight I'd have loved to have seen.

[BUNGALOWS]

I think that's where most of us are disagreeing pertaining to Donaire-Hamed. If Rigo's punching ability was able to divert Donaire from taking the usual risks he takes against less athletically gifted fighters and fighters with less one-punch power, than what happens if Hamed hits him flush. Forget the knockout altogether... Does Donaire allow Hamed to dictate the pace the way he allowed Rigo to control the fight??

The main difference between Rigo and Hamed is their footwork, foot speed, and positioning.

Donaire had to worry about outboxing, being in the right position at all times, and not getting KO'd by Rigo. The movement and angles Rigo provided were already a handful, but when you add onto the fact that he can hit you with a shot that you don't see coming, and potentially get KO'd, that's the danger with Rigo.

Naseem on the other hand, can definitely punch, and can KO anyone, but his footwork would often times leave him vulnerable to be out of position, and cause him to make too many mistakes if he wanted to play the counter punching game. Donaire's footwork is excellent imo. It's just that he had to chase a speed demon in Rigo, so it didn't look as good.

I think the key would be foot speed, and who lands first, and can get out of range, before the other could do anything about it. I'd favor Donaire in that instance.

And since Hamed only fought Barrera at the elite level, we don't really know how many other top fighters would've been able to beat him. Maybe every elite fighter he faced would've used Barrera's blue print, and outboxed him. Maybe Hamed beat every elite fighter after Barrera. I just don't think the latter would've been the case.

Edit: We don't know if Naseem could get to Donaire, the way Rigo did. You also can't discount the fact that Donaire could punch as well, and the angles Naseem would've given him, could have spelled doom for him.

[deejd]

The main difference between Rigo and Hamed is their footwork, foot speed, and positioning.

Donaire had to worry about outboxing, being in the right position at all times, and not getting KO'd by Rigo. The movement and angles Rigo provided were already a handful, but when you add onto the fact that he can hit you with a shot that you don't see coming, and potentially get KO'd, that's the danger with Rigo.

Naseem on the other hand, can definitely punch, and can KO anyone, but his footwork would often times leave him vulnerable to be out of position, and cause him to make too many mistakes if he wanted to play the counter punching game. Donaire's footwork is excellent imo. It's just that he had to chase a speed demon in Rigo, so it didn't look as good.

I think the key would be foot speed, and who lands first, and can get out of range, before the other could do anything about it. I'd favor Donaire in that instance.

And since Hamed only fought Barrera at the elite level, we don't really know how many other top fighters would've been able to beat him. Maybe every elite fighter he faced would've used Barrera's blue print, and outboxed him. Maybe Hamed beat every elite fighter after Barrera. I just don't think the latter would've been the case.

Edit: We don't know if Naseem could get to Donaire, the way Rigo did. You also can't discount the fact that Donaire could punch as well, and the angles Naseem would've given him, could have spelled doom for him.

That's a great post and I actually agree with most of it. All valid points until we get to the end. Kevin Kelly was devastating puncher... the mere fact that Hamed was able to get up off canvas multiple times leads me to believe that he could take a good shot [at '22 or '26]. Barrera had some power behind his punches as well.

I completely agree with you, Hamed's style wasn't just awkward for his opponent but was just as awkward for himself at times and Barrera exposed that with linear boxing technique. I'd have more confidence in Donaire if he actually used his jab... or developed a straight right hand, the hand the Kelley used to knock Hamed down in their fight..... I could go on. All he relies on is his left hook. Short, compact, and powerful as you pointed out, but I think he'd be less inclined to engage if Hamed were to catch him from any of those awkward angles.

In this case, just from last Saturday, a lot was uncovered in that ring. I was on the bandwagon after the Darchinyan fight and off it by Montiel because I noticed that Donaire was just picking on naturally smaller fighters. Then after last year, I could only laugh as NSB was grossly overrating all of his opponents. I could see Hamed eating a punch from Donaire and landing his own the same way Rigo did, discouraging Donaire from wanting to just freely exchange the way he would in previous fights.

[BUNGALOWS]

That's a great post and I actually agree with most of it. All valid points until we get to the end. Kevin Kelly was devastating puncher... the mere fact that Hamed was able to get up off canvas multiple times leads me to believe that he could take a good shot [at '22 or '26]. Barrera had some power behind his punches as well.

I completely agree with you, Hamed's style wasn't just awkward for his opponent but was just as awkward for himself at times and Barrera exposed that with linear boxing technique. I'd have more confidence in Donaire if he actually used his jab... or developed a straight right hand, the hand the Kelley used to knock Hamed down in their fight..... I could go on. All he relies on is his left hook. Short, compact, and powerful as you pointed out, but I think he'd be less inclined to engage if Hamed were to catch him from any of those awkward angles.

In this case, just from last Saturday, a lot was uncovered in that ring. I was on the bandwagon after the Darchinyan fight and off it by Montiel because I noticed that Donaire was just picking on naturally smaller fighters. Then after last year, I could only laugh as NSB was grossly overrating all of his opponents. I could see Hamed eating a punch from Donaire and landing his own the same way Rigo did, discouraging Donaire from wanting to just freely exchange the way he would in previous fights.

Good post, and pretty much spot on. The thing is, they both have elite power, while both being super quick, and both being counter punchers. Naseem has the unorthodox fighting style he's used so well, and Donaire has the traditional, orthodox fighting style.

I'll be honest. This is one of those fights you actually need to see in order to see who would come out the winner. I can see Hamed KO'ing Donaire, and I can see Donaire outboxing or KO'ing Hamed.

I think @ 126, Hamed would most likely win. @ 122, and lower, I'd favor Donaire. I don't either of us or right or wrong. Truly a toss up fight. I guess it just depends on who you like more, because honestly, I can see them both winning.

But good post, and I agree that Hamed is a badass.

P.S. I was always a huge Nas fan. Not the rapper.

[kiDynamite92]

LOL at the ret@rds calling Hamed over-rated. He was beaten convincingly by Barerra but not dominated and he definately was a shell of his former self than as well. He also doesn't have a glass jaw, he was knocked down because of his style, he was always unbalaned and had his hands down, it's kind of like what happened to a one Muhammad Ali. Does he too have a glass jaw? I'll put my money on Hamed to kick Nonito's a55. I don't know if anyone remembers, but in the first round against Rigo he came out swinging and tried to KO the 'glass jawed midget', Rigo caught him with a left, hurt him and left him cautious the whole night. Rigo is not a well known puncher, Hamed is, wonder what would have happened when a bigger and stronger Naz connected with Nonito's jaw?

[ROYistheGOAT]

Hamed- elite power, great speed, so-so technique, awkward style

donaire- overrated bum who has fought smaller fighters until mathebula who was a bum yet won five rounds, knocks out an old way past prime small fighter, gets dominated by a smaller fighter.

jeez i wonder who would win this

[realheavyhands]

Naz also knocked kevin kelly who only had one loss on over 40 fights.. after naz beat him he started losing left and right.. people didint think naz hit as hard as he did .. barrera said he was going to come right at naz and soon as he felt the power it became a tactical match

[Earl-Hickey]

Hamed wasted his talent, I think donaire takes it