What I think about Rigondeaux

[soul_survivor]

I'm a boxing fan, have been since I was a kid, it's something that's always been on at my house and I took part in the ams for many years. So this is an informed opinion on Rigondeaux, not something the casuals would have, what with their Pac/May obsession and thinking all fights will be Rocky.

My major concern with Rigondeaux and what makes me turn him off at times is the fact that he refuses to pull the trigger at the highest level. All his KOs have come at c or d class but every time he has taken a step up, and it's happened a grand total of three times: Donaire, Marroquin and Agbeko, Rigondeaux has been unable to st op guys he easily dominated.

After winning 5 or 6 rounds, he takes the foot off the gas, doesn't want to engage and just doesn't have that killer instinct. Now, schooling someone to a 12 round decision is impressive but when you talk about a fighter as a P4P entrant, someone who is considered to be "great" by many, then he must be held to the same standard as previous P4P entrants and greats. They would go for the kill when the fighter was hurt or completely dominated/outclassed.

Rigondeaux falls far short of that standard...so that's what makes me not want to watch someone who is clearly an exceptional talent. His unwillingness to put his foot on the gas and take care of opponents who are clearly a rung or two below him. The Agbeko fight is the best example, Rigo can hit and possesses some power and by the half way point, Agbeko looked like he had accepted defeat...this was the time for Rigo to jump forward, lean into his punches, set his feet and **** away for a KO. Would he have gotten it? WHo knows but at least show the intent, the killer instinct. Rigo is content to amateur his way to wins.

It has earned him a world title and a couple good wins but he is far from a fan favourite and may never be. Rigo has to show more if he wants the status he claims he can and sometimes says has already achieved.

[Black Barty]

Imo the problem with these Cuban guys (mostly Rigo and Lara) is that they refuse to understand that, without a "built-in" fan base, if they don't want to stay cult favorites forever, they can't afford to be all technique.

GGG was in a similar situation, and he is shaping up to be a global star. He accomplished that by having a crowd pleasing style (and taking the time to learn English didn't hurt either).

[Evol]

Imo the problem with these Cuban guys (mostly Rigo and Lara) is that they refuse to understand that, without a "built-in" fan base, if they don't want to stay cult favorites forever, they can't afford to be all technique.

GGG was in a similar situation, and he is shaping up to be a global star. He accomplished that by having a crowd pleasing style (and taking the time to learn English didn't hurt either).

i dont think its them refusing to understand. i think its just them not giving a phuck about it LOL.. its too late for rigo to learn english now.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I'm a boxing fan, have been since I was a kid, it's something that's always been on at my house and I took part in the ams for many years. So this is an informed opinion on Rigondeaux, not something the casuals would have, what with their Pac/May obsession and thinking all fights will be Rocky.

My major concern with Rigondeaux and what makes me turn him off at times is the fact that he refuses to pull the trigger at the highest level. All his KOs have come at c or d class but every time he has taken a step up, and it's happened a grand total of three times: Donaire, Marroquin and Agbeko, Rigondeaux has been unable to st op guys he easily dominated.

After winning 5 or 6 rounds, he takes the foot off the gas, doesn't want to engage and just doesn't have that killer instinct. Now, schooling someone to a 12 round decision is impressive but when you talk about a fighter as a P4P entrant, someone who is considered to be "great" by many, then he must be held to the same standard as previous P4P entrants and greats. They would go for the kill when the fighter was hurt or completely dominated/outclassed.

Rigondeaux falls far short of that standard...so that's what makes me not want to watch someone who is clearly an exceptional talent. His unwillingness to put his foot on the gas and take care of opponents who are clearly a rung or two below him. The Agbeko fight is the best example, Rigo can hit and possesses some power and by the half way point, Agbeko looked like he had accepted defeat...this was the time for Rigo to jump forward, lean into his punches, set his feet and **** away for a KO. Would he have gotten it? WHo knows but at least show the intent, the killer instinct. Rigo is content to amateur his way to wins.

It has earned him a world title and a couple good wins but he is far from a fan favourite and may never be. Rigo has to show more if he wants the status he claims he can and sometimes says has already achieved.

I'm a big Rigo fan. I've been following him since his early Olympic days. I went to watch him school Donaire. That being said, I agree with everything you wrote. All I can offer are some observations.

Guillermo was utterly in complete command of the Donaire fight. He exchanged on many occasions and he out-boxed Nonito the rest of the way. By the final frame, Donaire was literally running around backwards, trying to avoid getting KTFO. It was actually humorous. When was the last time you saw a P4P fighter running for his life? If Rigo didn't have to chase him in the final moments of that fight, the KO would've come.

I get the sense that Rigo is just extremely cautious. He doesn't like to get hit. (Probably because he barely knows what it feels like. lol) And he's clearly content with winning in a manner that doesn't require too much risk-taking. He rightfully considers himself great, and he doesn't feel he needs to prove anything to anyone. You saw the video, man. Guillermo was joking...but he wasn't joking.

Let's not forget that "El Chacal" only has a handful of professional fights. We expect so much of him, yet he's still a rookie pro. Unlike Lomachenko, Rigo isn't an aggressive fighter by nature. I'm afraid we're going to have to wait a few more fights before we see whether Guillermo "gets" the pro game or not.

[CubanGuyNYC]

i dont think its them refusing to understand. i think its just them not giving a phuck about it LOL.. its too late for rigo to learn english now.

I agree. I don't think Rigo and Lara give a shit about all that. But I think Gamboa does. Yuri seems conscious about image, although he's yet to learn English. Juan Pablo Hernandez learned German, FFS. He's a star out there. Mike Perez learned English and married an Irish woman. If you care, you'll learn. If you don't you won't.

[BornToLive]

He was going for the stoppage in the 12th against Donaire but Donaire started to back pedal for the rest of the round, just to survive.

[Xing Bocksing]

The top pound 4 pound Manny tried to finish Juan Manuel and was knocked out cold. it's better to win, Guillermo felt Nonito when he was knocked down so no need to be reckless.

[dan_cov]

Who has ever stopped or come close to stopping Donaire, Marroquin or Agbeko?

The thing is even if he stopped these guys people would still find excuses and claim they was overrated or struggling with the weight or not good in the first place.

To my knowledge Donaire & Agbeko have never even been down. What is the sense in jumping on either who are both at their most dangerous when pressed/in trouble? And tbf he did go for the kill against Donaire who went into full survival mode. Agbeko went into full survival mode in round one after he tasted a vicious uppercut.

[gmc_rfc_06]

Dominating people for 12 rounds is cool for me.

Killer instinct is something I understand if a guy is badly hurt, but not just because you feel in control. Look at Pacquiao-Marquez 4; Pac felt in control, tried to do more damage and got himself flattened.

I just feel like Rigo's skills, speed, footwork, reflexes, etc....put him at the top of the P4P list. He is incredibly talented.

[CubanGuyNYC]

Dominating people for 12 rounds is cool for me.

Killer instinct is something I understand if a guy is badly hurt, but not just because you feel in control. Look at Pacquiao-Marquez 4; Pac felt in control, tried to do more damage and got himself flattened.

I just feel like Rigo's skills, speed, footwork, reflexes, etc....put him at the top of the P4P list. He is incredibly talented.

I agree with this 100%, but it's also a big reason why Manny's a global star. He goes for broke every time out. That makes a star...if you're successful. People love that.

Rigo was never going to be a star anyway. His style, his temperament, his looks, etc. He just doesn't have what it takes. I'm content that at least the hardcore fans recognize....