Rigondeaux is on the slide

[dan_cov]

If there was ever a top level fighter to make Rigondeaux look as spectacular its Donaire.
Donaire is a very good yet limited fighter but one who went through a string of opponents that stylistically flattered him. He never evolved as a fighter as what he did was working so he said sod it.

Donaire is limited and the way he fights is to Rigondeaux's strength. Rigondeaux could be completely past it and still Donaire would possess a punchers chance at best. Take way his left hook and you're stuck with a very mediocre fighter.

Rigondeaux will almost always put on a punch perfect performance against a similar styled fighter to Donaire.

Now with say Lomachenko he is not a patient fighter like Donaire who will stay on the end of Rigondeaux's punches, he will pressure, move his head and feint his way in and throw volume. He is very fleet-footed himself and not only utilises side-to-side movement & head movement but he throws volume from angles and mixes his punches up very well. He doesn't need his feet set & doesn't throw one shot at a time, he throws 4 & 5 punch combinations. I'm not saying Lomachenko wins but this is a tough fight and will in noway, shape or form be anything like the Donaire fight.

It was never so much a great fighter bringing out his best because he never! That was noway near Rigondeaux's best. He never had to adjust or get out of first gear it was more Donaire had the perfect style for Rigondeaux.

Donaire is a very good scalp on anybodies resume but he is what he is. A product of catching guys at the right time and fighters who are made for his style.

I do not think we have seen Rigondeaux's best and may never do now. Poonsawatt was a much harder fight than Donaire. It won't be a patient counterpuncher with no real jab that is going to look for one shot that brings out Rigondeaux's best. It'll be a pressure fighter who forces him and takes him out of his comfort zone.

[JohnnyRebel]

Getting the excuses ready already I see.

[dan_cov]

No excuses I think Lomachenko has the best chance of anybody out there right now, whilst he maybe slightly declining - probably to be expected I don't think anybody else has any sort of shot.
If Rigo losses he losses, I won't take anything away from Lomachenko it'd be a magnificent win.

Loma is still a kid but he also had 400 amateur fights he likely has wear and tear himself. Just the nature of the sport.

[Suckmedry]

Similar situation. Looked great against Russell, I give him full credit but it's a favorable style matchup. When faced against a more rugged pressure fighter he folded a little, was inactive and reverted to clinching.

Lol, against Salido. A tough as nails hard punching world champ with deep experience. In his second fight.

[FlatLine]

Only time will tell. You can use selected sparring/training footage, or fight footage, from any boxer and believe they've declined but then they can turn it around and look good in future sparrring, training, fights.

Case in point: Floyd looked crap against Bumdana in the first fight, like he was on the decline but he looked a little better in the rematch.

Ali looked done against Spinx in the first fight, but schooled him the rematch.

Khan didn't look great against Diaz, but then he schooled Collazo, Alexander and Algieri etc..

[Boxer992]

we see how its plays out

[puro dinamita]

I agree 100%. I haven't watched the Amagasa fight in months but that wasn't the guy that fought Donaire. Watch his amateur fights and look at the difference in speed, reflexes and the snap on his punches.

I read he smokes and is a drinker too so not taking care of your body will make matters worse. The inactivity can't be helping either.

Dare I say I think Lara has actually looked better lately.

not trying talk **** bout rigo or cubans but mostly all cuban boxers are drunks lara even said it himself and rigo is from the old cuba soo it's no suprise at all he's a drinker and smoker

[boliodogs]

He is at an age when most fighters decline. Mayweather and Hopkins are exceptions to the norm. He is one of my favorites also and I'd rather see him retire than lose a fight. He needs to stay at 122 and not give the bad ass 126 pounders an advantage. If they can't make his natural weight of 122 then don't fight them.

[IFightDirty]

Maybe part of it is mental? Since the Donaire fight, has there been any fight where he's really had to get up for? He's levels above the guys who are willing to face him, maybe he's not as motivated? I'm sure part of it is the aging and possible lifestyle outside the ring.

[Outworn]

Even if Rigo is on the slide he will still beat Frampton easily.