Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” - The Guillermo Rigondeaux Blame Game

[opotemo]

It is Rigo's fault when he doesn't press the action. As you said he has a guy in front of him in a defensive shell, refusing to engage, yet Rigo is content to jab (600 of them) here and there and win the fight on points.

That's a boring style, and a style most people hated which is why so many turned off the channel.

It sounds like you're asking him to be a completely different fighter, He is a natural counter puncher who in fact was pressing the action throwing feints and jabs to try and find holes for his power punches but if Agbeko is solely trying not to get hit there is not much more Rigo can do.
Dude you have a picture of Marquez in you're avatar who is one of my favourite fighters and a counter puncher as well(better combination puncher, leakier defence). We've seen what happens when he fights people who don't attack him(think Casamayor,John,Mayweather,Bradley) - would you say he has a "boring style" as well.

[!! Shawn]

He's suppose to change because he is now a professional. Its not like the amateurs where it's just about winning. In the pros people are paying to watch you fight. You can't fight the way he does and expect to receive an audience.

And as for my comment on how boring the Agbeko fight was, yes he threw 800 punches, most of them jabs by the way, but of those punches how many were crowd pleasing?
Rigo had a guy in front of him refusing to punch back, and Rigo chose not to press the gas. Not to close the show, not to go for the kill. etc...

Now if he choses not to do this, that is his decision. But he's going to have a hard time finding any network or promoter to get him major fights.

How is over 800 punches for Rigo not pressing the gas? When is the last time you have seen Floyd throw that many punches?

[opotemo]

I don't think it has anything to do with him not being American, Mexican or Filipino. I honestly don't. I believe it has to do with his style and character more than anything.
His style is what turns people off. There have been plenty of fighters who spoke little to no English and managed sizeable audiences. Maidana would be an example of that, so would Matthysse, and Mayorga, , all of whom are neither Mexican, Puerto Rican or Filipino, but manage to receive a lot of support.

I gave this example many times, but it bares repeating. If your style is boring, unless you offer something else in the form of entertainment (as Mayweather does) you're not going to sell. Even one of the biggest boxing audiences, Mexicans will not watch you if you're boring, as is the case with light weight champion Miguel Vasquez. No one wants to see him figh, which is why he isn't an option for the big names like Broner, Gamboa, Garcia, etc.

I can see how his style can turn casual fans off(and some hardcore ones) but you cant say not being Mexican or American has nothing to do with it. Outside of their last fights Maidana(b side vs Broner)or Matthysee(ppv undercard) for example haven't exactly been big draws with crowd attendance or viewership numbers.

You can't compare Rigo to Vasquez - different skill levels, Rigo would be a draw if he was Mexican.

[A-Wolf]

Bob's never lied before. Has he?

[whoseyourdaddy]

What else do you want Rigo to do!? He threw over 800 punches, that is way more than most fighters throw! It was a bad fight becasue Rigo is too damn good and causes fighters like Agbeko to go into a shell. Rigo is the champ because of what he has been doing so like he said "why change anything".

He trew 800 punches but the article said most of them were jabs that connected a 8% rate.....that really sucks for a guy whit such talent, he can do more if he really wanted to.

[jas]

top ranks ploy to blackball rigo so that they have an excuse NOT to stage a rigo-loma fight??

[jas]

go to the "how not to promote a fighter" manual and rigo will be used as the prime example.

[ShoulderRoll]

Rigo should fight a few tomato cans in a row and knock them out. That would get some buzz going, GGG style

[jerrymarkey]

Rigo

Rigo is the best boxer today. He hits and does not get hit. That is boxing at its best. It is so rare that most fans have never seen it and dont understand it when they do.

[toolegit]

Good but very boring, cannot blame HBO. Its all about the benjamins/business.