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by David P. Greisman - Guillermo Rigondeaux didn’t make his pro debut until two years after Nonito Donaire had won his first world title. Donaire had been in the title picture for nearly six years before they faced off. Rigondeaux had been in the paid ranks for just four years by that point.
Naoya Inoue had only fought five times as a pro before challenging Adrian Hernandez, whose 32-bout career included eight title fights.
Artur Beterbiev’s five-fight career consisted of fewer than 11 rounds in total by the time he met Tavoris Cloud, who had five individual nights that each lasted longer than Beterbiev’s cumulative pro campaign.
None of that mattered.
Rigondeaux out-boxed Donaire and established himself as the true champion of the 122-pound division. Inoue stopped Hernandez within six rounds and captured a belt and attention in the junior flyweight division. And Beterbiev demolished Cloud in less than four minutes, forcefully nominating himself as a future contender at light heavyweight.
These weren’t your usual crossroads bouts.
Typically a boxer who is younger or at least less experienced will not step in against accomplished veterans so early, never mind world titleholders. Usually that will wait until they’ve already spent years blasting through overmatched designated opponents and gritty journeymen, foes who recognize that they’re there either to be blown out quickly or to give the prospect rounds and perhaps help him grow as a fighter.
Rigondeaux, Inoue, Beterbiev and featherweight titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko are among a handful of pros to come very fast out of the gate, making splashes and then making waves far earlier in their careers than do an overwhelming majority of prospects. [Click Here To Read More]
Naoya Inoue had only fought five times as a pro before challenging Adrian Hernandez, whose 32-bout career included eight title fights.
Artur Beterbiev’s five-fight career consisted of fewer than 11 rounds in total by the time he met Tavoris Cloud, who had five individual nights that each lasted longer than Beterbiev’s cumulative pro campaign.
None of that mattered.
Rigondeaux out-boxed Donaire and established himself as the true champion of the 122-pound division. Inoue stopped Hernandez within six rounds and captured a belt and attention in the junior flyweight division. And Beterbiev demolished Cloud in less than four minutes, forcefully nominating himself as a future contender at light heavyweight.
These weren’t your usual crossroads bouts.
Typically a boxer who is younger or at least less experienced will not step in against accomplished veterans so early, never mind world titleholders. Usually that will wait until they’ve already spent years blasting through overmatched designated opponents and gritty journeymen, foes who recognize that they’re there either to be blown out quickly or to give the prospect rounds and perhaps help him grow as a fighter.
Rigondeaux, Inoue, Beterbiev and featherweight titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko are among a handful of pros to come very fast out of the gate, making splashes and then making waves far earlier in their careers than do an overwhelming majority of prospects. [Click Here To Read More]
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