Comments Thread For: Merchant Agrees With HBO For Rejecting Rigondeaux

[al-Xander]

The guy got booed non stop in his fight with Donaire. That was like being served bad food in a restaurant.

Boxing is not free. People organizing these events spend millions of dollars. They have to have a return in their investment. Otherwise, they'll be out of business.

Why is this so complicated to people? It's mind boggling.

[Reg_One]

Your partially right, but your saying it like its malicious intent on the part of the execs. THEY DON't DISLIKE RIGO BECAUSE HE IS BLACK. The primary market for boxing is America (a 75% White? country) and if you have a non American fighter you want to promote it helps greatly if they;
A) Speak English
B) Look Personable/Appealing
C) Crowd pleasing fighter.

The fact that rigo is black has something to do with it on some level, but it's the major factor here for why he is such a poor draw regardless of his inherent talent. It would help if he look Canelo alvarez no doubt, but the guy should make an effort to learn english so he can communicate with fans and the networks and get himself out there.

Your superhero analogy is ****** as **** I'm not even going to pick that apart, you need to face reality.

LOL! First, you say I'm partially right than you say my analogy of America's superhero's is asinine? If you disagree partially you must disagree entirely otherwise you make your own argument in defense seem completely illogical. I actually thought my Hollywood superhero's analogy was great. Clearly, you thought otherwise. This disappoints me greatly. We'll have to agree to disagree obviously on Hollywood's White male superiority complex. By the way, please let me know when there is a Black, Latino, Asian or American Indian male shown as a superhero in American cinema and we'll continue that conversation.

I'm not sure how many times I have to explain this but let's review it from this context. Rigondeaux has had many more exciting fights in prior battles; why couldn't HBO include his entire career opposed to picking one dud, which he won, against one of the best pound for pound fighters in the game? I find HBO's logic incredibly ******. Give the guy a chance would've been my comment sitting at the board table with HBO executives. Hell, if he was able to beat the breaks off the next Pacquiao with ease he deserves it, end of story. Why they can't review his amateur pedigree and past fights as reason enough to offer him a contract leads the logical mind to see their intentions as su****iously based and probably of ill-content.

You guys can list A,B,C, and D reasons as to what you think is the reason, I'm sticking with E-Racism.

[Reg_One]

Race definitely plays a role in virtually everything, especially in the United States. However, as you so accurately point out, America is all about money. If Rigo was deemed to be a money maker, whether by race, looks or style, he would be scooped up by the networks. I don't like it, but it's clear that Guillermo isn't fitting in with the executives' plans. I'd rather see the man go over to Europe, where he might be better appreciated. As much as I appreciate "El Chacal's" brand of mastery, I understand the reality of the situation. It is what it is....

Agreed, Cubano brother! Third generation Cubano here...

[Marvellous1]

The guy got booed non stop in his fight with Donaire. That was like being served bad food in a restaurant.

Boxing is not free. People organizing these events spend millions of dollars. They have to have a return in their investment. Otherwise, they'll be out of business.

Why is this so complicated to people? It's mind boggling.

The star of that show (Donaire), and supposed Pound for Pound fighter, did even less. His punch output was lower, he initiated less action and was content to plod around while his trainer screamed at him. All this after candidly stating that the responsibility to make the fight rested WITH HIM.

The fact that people want to make money is obvious. But let me point out something else that should be obvious.... promoters are paid by boxers (yes, that's right) to PROMOTE THEM. That means make them the right matches that will sell, not publicly trash them. If they can feed other fighters anything to make them look amazing, it can be done with Rigondeaux. Just do it on the right place on a card.

Two things I've seen from this topic on various threads:

1) Some supposed boxing fans seem to think money is important only when it suits their agenda. Usually it's "legacy!" and "best fighting the best".

2) Some supposed boxing fans want boxing dumbed down to satisfy "casual" people.

[PunchyPotorff]

I rarely disagree with Merchant, but I will this time. I was thoroughly entertained watching Rigo outclass Donut-Air. Some of the best defensive work I've ever seen. Great footwork, speed. For a true boxing fan, what isn't to like? But I'm probably in the minority. Oh well.

But I think this whole thing started with Arum. He was mad Donut-Air lost, and in the process did a dis-service to Rigo by dissing him severely. He should've just kept his trap shut.

[mex602]

Race definitely plays a role in virtually everything, especially in the United States. However, as you so accurately point out, America is all about money. If Rigo was deemed to be a money maker, whether by race, looks or style, he would be scooped up by the networks. I don't like it, but it's clear that Guillermo isn't fitting in with the executives' plans. I'd rather see the man go over to Europe, where he might be better appreciated. As much as I appreciate "El Chacal's" brand of mastery, I understand the reality of the situation. It is what it is....

if race was a factor then there would be no "puig mania" in LA and people wouldnt be wearing "viva puig" shirts

[al-Xander]

The star of that show (Donaire), and supposed Pound for Pound fighter, did even less. His punch output was lower, he initiated less action and was content to plod around while his trainer screamed at him. All this after candidly stating that the responsibility to make the fight rested WITH HIM.

The fact that people want to make money is obvious. But let me point out something else that should be obvious.... promoters are paid by boxers (yes, that's right) to PROMOTE THEM. That means make them the right matches that will sell, not publicly trash them. If they can feed other fighters anything to make them look amazing, it can be done with Rigondeaux. Just do it on the right place on a card.

Two things I've seen from this topic on various threads:

1) Some supposed boxing fans seem to think money is important only when it suits their agenda. Usually it's "legacy!" and "best fighting the best".

2) Some supposed boxing fans want boxing dumbed down to satisfy "casual" people.

Promoters can only do so much. They don't have magic wands to make boxers look good. At the end of the day the main promoter is the boxer himself.

[BMWM3P]

The biggest boxing stars in the past 30 years: Tyson, Holyfield, Floyd, Pac, DLH. Yes, I see your point.

There are super obvious reasons why they're not interested, don't have to make a racial conspiracy out of it:

1. Fights in a division HBO doesn't normally showcase
2. No decent comp at that weight, other than 2 GBP/Showtime guys
3. His style is boring to a casual fan
4. Speaks no English
5. Not a live draw
6. Commands a very high purse given the above

You would think that they would at least acknowledge these facts. But they rather blame racism, conspiracy theories because he beat Donaire and **** on anyone who points on these clear cut facts. They are just dumb and delusional, looking for stuff that isn't there.

[KING MEAT]

i agree with merchant.

[littlemac]

If Rigo is worthless to Arum and Hbo, why doesn't Arum just let Rigo go?!