Rigo could have been an ATG.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Honestly, I don’t think Rigo even tried. He seemed disinterested from the opening bell. Barely even pretended to care. I’m not saying Rigo would’ve or even could’ve beaten the larger and equally talented Lomo, but he made zero effort. I think Guillermo knew it was an uphill battle he was likely to lose, put in a few BS rounds, then saw his way out with a “hand injury.” It was a disgrace, but I also think that those who believe Vasyl was so much better aren’t seeing that exhibition for what it really was. Rigondeaux simply showed up for a paycheck. That’s all.

I would argue Loma made him disinterested. Rigo couldn’t commit to any shot because a counter would be waiting for him every time, Loma’s physical advantages combined with technical ability were simply too high of a mountain to climb.

I think Rigo is a type of guy who only wins a fight by skill, so when that skill level is equalled or surpassed he ostensibly has no way to win. He’s not the type of guy to take one to land one, he won’t throw a shot unless it’s going to land
and Loma didn’t present him with any opportunities.

That’s why I think he looked so passive in that fight.

[TheMyspaceDayz]

I’ve always hated him and would always root for the other guy. He has the skills but I disagree with how he carries himself in the ring. His choices are often bizarre or overly cautious. That’s all I’m saying. Don’t care one lick about him.

[RJJ-94-02=GOAT]

Man.... I feel high just thinking of that

Barrera vs Rigo would be such a good clash of styles.

Had he turned over after 2000 or even 04, he probably would’ve fought at 118 though.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I would argue Loma made him disinterested. Rigo couldn’t commit to any shot because a counter would be waiting for him every time, Loma’s physical advantages combined with technical ability were simply too high of a mountain to climb.

I think Rigo is a type of guy who only wins a fight by skill, so when that skill level is equalled or surpassed he ostensibly has no way to win. He’s not the type of guy to take one to land one, he won’t throw a shot unless it’s going to land
and Loma didn’t present him with any opportunities.

That’s why I think he looked so passive in that fight.

I don’t disagree. I think Rigo came into the fight disinterested, but it’s also possible he lost interest the moment he felt Lomo’s attributes. Either way, Guillermo simply made no effort whatsoever. Seems to me he went six rounds to pretend he actually tried. It was just bullshit.

[CubanGuyNYC]

I’ve always hated him and would always root for the other guy. He has the skills but I disagree with how he carries himself in the ring. His choices are often bizarre or overly cautious. That’s all I’m saying. Don’t care one lick about him.

Good way to put it. He is overly cautious, but bizarre choice making seems rather appropriate. There have been times I’m literally like, “Why?” It sucks because Rigo really is a rare talent. We’ve missed out on his abilities for no good reason. The guy is like a savant who just does whatever he feels like, whenever he feels like it.

[KillaMane26]

If you look back at the Loma fight...The nail in the coffin and what made him quit was when Loma just turned his back on him and walked away. That killed him on the inside, killed his pride.

[Afi23]

Loma is the only guy (Am or Pro) I’ve ever seen outmanoeuvre him. The size difference definitely helped but I think Loma’s unique style combined with his supreme athleticism left Rigo completely befuddled.

Rigo must have felt like fighters feel when they face him.

Do you think Arum risks Inoue against Rigo to "avenge" what Rigo did to Nonito years ago?

[Afi23]

I genuinely don’t find it boring though. There’s the odd fight, I remember one on the Kovalev-Ward undercard were he was overly negative but I thought that wasn’t a negative performance last night. He stood and traded in the first round, and exchanged when necessary later on, like in round 7. I don’t think Rigo’s style is that dissimilar from Mayweather’s style throughout the 10’s. He’s a counter puncher, people can’t expect him to be coming forward initiating attacks.

I think he gets unfairly labelled boring cause fat slobs like Dan Rafael have disparaged him for years. He’s not Gatti by any means but for the purists he’s still captivating to watch.

Those years were terrible, Rafael was on Rigo 24/7! Rigo will never be most fans cup of tea but you really need someone like Paulie on the broadcast team to point out the subtleties of Rigo's craft.

[Leonbus2]

People talk about Rigo the same way they talk about free jazz. I'm pretty sure half the people that claim to like either are just pretending to, hoping it makes them look refined.....

I think a better analogy is Rigo to Mozart. I get your point about people wanting to be refined, but the analogy works better with something refined and highly controlled or tempered like scripted classical music. Free jazz is the opposite of Rigo and Mozart. No rules, all risk, could be a disaster, etc.

But I get the posturing of refinement.

[Mammoth]

I think a better analogy is Rigo to Mozart. I get your point about people wanting to be refined, but the analogy works better with something refined and highly controlled or tempered like scripted classical music. Free jazz is the opposite of Rigo and Mozart. No rules, all risk, could be a disaster, etc.

But I get the posturing of refinement.

Great post.

Maybe Julio Cesar Martinez is something closer to free jazz.....