HBO Sports President Talks Rigondeaux

[Tom Cruise]

I think Kiko Martinez not even having his fight televised proves that his 'boring' style isn't the only issue here, so i wish some posters would stop focusing solely on that

[CubanGuyNYC]

I think Kiko Martinez not even having his fight televised proves that his 'boring' style isn't the only issue here, so i wish some posters would stop focusing solely on that

The networks, at least in the U.S. (and apparently not just here), don't give a damn about the little guys. They made an exception with "El Chacal." What happened with Rigo is that they thought they could sell a 2X Olympic gold medallist with sublime skills, a Cuban defector who's considered one of the greatest amateurs of all time. Guillermo didn't live up to their image of him.

I hope things turn out well for Rigo; but the truth is that he had a massive opportunity, one not normally reserved for men in his weight class. If there's still any hope at all of returning to favor, Guillermo is going to have to give the powers-that-be what they want. As many before him have learned, you can't fight the system.

[Humean]

So Rigo's problems:

1: He's a super bantamweight
2: He has a defensive and counter-punching style and doesn't take the risks to go for the stoppage victory
3: He's been matched poorly
4: He's Cuban and doesn't speak English

Solutions:
1: Improve options by also fighting at featherweight - he doesn't seem receptive to that
2: Change style, at least slightly, to be more exciting - he doesn't seem to be receptive to this either
3: Match him better - outside Rigo changing this is the only real possibility, put an aggressive come forward fighter in there with him such as Kiko Martinez, someone who will press the action like Angulo did against Lara.
4: No really a great problem but speaking a bit of English wouldn't hurt.


I don't think it is predominantly his size, hasn't Leo Santa Cruz generated a decent amount of buzz albeit on the rival network?

[CubanGuyNYC]

So Rigo's problems:

1: He's a super bantamweight
2: He has a defensive and counter-punching style and doesn't take the risks to go for the stoppage victory
3: He's been matched poorly
4: He's Cuban and doesn't speak English

Solutions:
1: Improve options by also fighting at featherweight - he doesn't seem receptive to that
2: Change style, at least slightly, to be more exciting - he doesn't seem to be receptive to this either
3: Match him better - outside Rigo changing this is the only real possibility, put an aggressive come forward fighter in there with him such as Kiko Martinez, someone who will press the action like Angulo did against Lara.
4: No really a great problem but speaking a bit of English wouldn't hurt.


I don't think it is predominantly his size, hasn't Leo Santa Cruz generated a decent amount of buzz albeit on the rival network?

Rigo's size is at least his primary problem. When you factor in everything else you listed, it's apparent the guy has more challenges than just his style.

[Humean]

Rigo's size is at least his primary problem. When you factor in everything else you listed, it's apparent the guy has more challenges than just his style.

No i think his primary problem is he is 'boring', or at least has been in boring fights thus far. Therefore I think better match ups could reinvigorate interest in him albeit probably not as the main event. His size is certainly a problem, especially as a headliner, there aren't the American fighters at that weight to draw interest in the division although there often is Mexican fighters at that weight so perhaps the division is not a lost cause in the US market. I think that if he displayed a lot more aggressiveness, like the great Cuban Kid Gavilan, then he would be a lot more of a ratings hit. Probably never the ratings hit of a welterweight or a middleweight though.

[CubanGuyNYC]

No i think his primary problem is he is 'boring', or at least has been in boring fights thus far. Therefore I think better match ups could reivigorate interest in him albeit probably not as the main event. His size is certainly a problem, especially as a headliner, there aren't the American fighters at that weight to draw interest in the division although there often is Mexican fighters at that weight so perhaps the division is not a lost cause in the US market. I think that if he displayed a lot more aggressiveness, like the great Cuban Kid Gavilan, then he would be a lot more of a ratings hit. Probably never the ratings hit of a welterweight or a middleweight though.

Maybe. But I believe that if Rigo were at least a welterweight, HBO wouldn't be dropping him like this. It's a testament to Guillermo's reputation and abilities that he was given the chance to show his stuff in the first place. Not many little guys get that opportunity. It's appears that if "El Chacal's" style pleased the network, we wouldn't be having this conversation. On the other hand, a 147 lb Rigo might very well not have to change his style.

Gavilan was a hell of a fighter, but he himself was a welterweight, and he fought in an era where boxing was featured on free TV on a regular basis. Rigo doesn't have either advantage.

[Humean]

Maybe. But I believe that if Rigo were at least a welterweight, HBO wouldn't be dropping him like this. It's a testament to Guillermo's reputation and abilities that he was given the chance to show his stuff in the first place. Not many little guys get that opportunity. It's appears that if "El Chacal's" style pleased the network, we wouldn't be having this conversation. On the other hand, a 147 lb Rigo might very well not have to change his style.

Gavilan was a hell of a fighter, but he himself was a welterweight, and he fought in an era where boxing was featured on free TV on a regular basis. Rigo doesn't have either advantage.

I suppose the issue might be in regards to how everyone views Rigondeaux, that HBO would have liked him as one of their main 'stars' rather than an attraction to bolster cards as a co-feature. What stops him from being that on HBO, his financial demands (and potentially opponents demands) I suppose? I see him more as a co-feature unless he can add some excitement into his style. That is why I mentioned Kid Gavilan, he could box and win rounds like that in an unexciting manner but then burst into life with really exciting flurries adding real excitement to his style.

[BMWM3P]

While his size might be a problem I don't think it is close to being his main one. Other fighters like Juanma, Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Ponce de Leon, Darchinian, Donaire,ect..., have been regularly featured on HBO and Showtime while they were at a 122 or less.

I think his main problem besides his amateur style is that he has no fanbase. HBO has done everything to try to sell this guy and people just don't want to watch him fight. He doesn't have a built in fanbase like mexicans or ricans to support him no matter what and his style doesn't attract fans like Maidana, Matthysse or Martinez. HBO have tried everything even the connoseir angle like Rigo is some sort of fine wine that only the most sophisticated palate can appreciate. And that even turned more people off.

In the end the only one who can change this situation is Rigo himself. He needs to put his ego aside and start listening to his clients, the fans. This is not the amateurs were all he needed was points to win. This is the pros where he needs to do more than just win and show that he is truly as great as some claim him to be.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I suppose the issue might be in regards to how everyone views Rigondeaux, that HBO would have liked him as one of their main 'stars' rather than an attraction to bolster cards as a co-feature. What stops him from being that on HBO, his financial demands (and potentially opponents demands) I suppose? I see him more as a co-feature unless he can add some excitement into his style. That is why I mentioned Kid Gavilan, he could box and win rounds like that in an unexciting manner but then burst into life with really exciting flurries adding real excitement to his style.

I'm not sure that HBO ever had any real idea what to do with Rigo. I get the feeling that they gave him a little rope to see where it all went, but I don't think they ever seriously thought he might be a star. It didn't take long for them to pull the plug on the experiment. This was an audition, and it appears Guillermo thought he had the part locked up.

Now the question is, will Golden Boy be willing to audition Rigo? If he gets a second chance, "El Chacal" had better consider his luck. These people are about the bottom line. They couldn't give a damn how amazing you are as a boxer.

[CubanGuyNYC]

While his size might be a problem I don't think it is close to being his main one. Other fighters like Juanma, Leo Santa Cruz, Abner Mares, Ponce de Leon, Darchinian, Donaire,ect..., have been regularly featured on HBO and Showtime while they were at a 122 or less.

I think his main problem besides his amateur style is that he has no fanbase. HBO has done everything to try to sell this guy and people just don't want to watch him fight. He doesn't have a built in fanbase like mexicans or ricans to support him no matter what and his style doesn't attract fans like Maidana, Matthysse or Martinez. HBO have tried everything even the connoseir angle like Rigo is some sort of fine wine that only the most sophisticated palate can appreciate. And that even turned more people off.

In the end the only one who can change this situation is Rigo himself. He needs to put his ego aside and start listening to his clients, the fans. This is not the amateurs were all he needed was points to win. This is the pros where he needs to do more than just win and show that he is truly as great as some claim him to be.

Every fighter you've mentioned would've done better if they fought in the heavier divisions. My point is, so would Rigo. A guy like Santa Cruz might be a bona fide star at 147. And while "El Chacal" probably wouldn't climb as high, he wouldn't be getting buried either.