Donaire vs Rigo?

[Spicoli]

Right now I'd go Rigo. He's just more natural and fluid in his own skin and hand speed to spare. Donaire poses too much for me and forces the issue with bombs. I could see him running into a counter off a counter and he's doing himself no favors battering an Arce to prep for Rigo. I think Donaire and Mares will happen though.

But, who has Rigo beat as a professional? Was Robert Marroquin the way to prepare for Donaire? For me it's hard to get the Cordoba fight out of my head.

It's not like Rigo is any faster than Donaire, nor does he have more pop. Is it possible Rigo is more patient, calculated and accurate than Donaire? Sure, but Donaire is far more battle tested as a professional than Rigo. Far more. He's the safe bet in my opinion.

Not doubting the accumulative battle tested as Donaire has 3 times as many professional fights afterall. Considering Rigo has a grand total of 11 pro starts I actually think the Cordoba war, coming off the floor to eek it out only six fights in was a much needed acid test. He's done quite well for himself. Donaire had yet to even face a guy with a winning record by then.

There is absolutly no dening Donairs run and obvious talent but personally I'm just not terribly impressed with his last few. Posing, posturing and I honestly think he plays with fire trying way too hard to hit the homerun ball rather than just settle down. He sort of fights uptight for a guy who has been in one way traffic for a helluva long time and I think Rigos natural weight, speed and style is leaps and bounds ahead of what he faced with hard nut Vasquez jr, gangly Mathebula or a Nishioka who though capable totally kept his hands in his pockets and turned it prevent defense. I think Rigo should take a couple more fights but if its possible like you say for a guy of Rigos skill to in fact be more patient...calculated...and accurate I call it more even money and less safe bet. Those three win fights and can be the key to timing a guy who loads up and can be left hook happy. Style. I don't think we'll know though. Mares has a feel of happening very soon.

We're on the same page. However, just so we're clear, I believe Rigo is a beast with a capital "B." I'm a big fan. If Rigo-Donaire happens, I'm there. It'll be high-level boxing with two guys who also have pop. And you might be right with your opinion that this is Rigo's natural weight, and Donaire might have been better suited at bantamweight. I'll be an argumentative prick and suggest that Donaire moved up in weight this year so it's good that he is cleaning out the division before facing Abner Mares and Guillermo Rigondeaux, the other two best at this weight. Can we agree that Donaire has done a better job of cleaning out the division than Rigo and Mares? If Donaire beats them, he will have literally cleaned out a division after moving up in weight, which in this day and age, doesn't happen that often.

I understand how you feel about Donaire with regard to his posturing and that he seems to be continually waiting for that perfect punch. It can be annoying, like where's the jab to set things up? When is he going to do the basics to get things done? I hear you. My opinion is that Donaire is that good that he can sort of afford to do that kind of stuff, if that makes sense. But, listen, I'm a fan. I think he's one of those talents that in every given era, there are only a handful of in boxing. Look at the legacy he's put together, the KO over Darchinyan at flyweight, the KO over Hernan Marquez at super flyweight, the KO over Montiel at bantamweight, and the KO over Nishioka at super bantamweight. When he fought each of those guys, they were the top dog in their division. Add to that the win over Omar Narvaez, which is underrated in my opinion because the fight wasn't aesthetically pleasing. However, Narvaez has gone on to quite a lengthy string of title defenses. If he beat Mares, and/or Rigo, we would have to start comparing him on a historical basis to really elite guys.

Brother I think you are just about right on. Donaire is one I don't doubt all and all and the Vic and Montiel kos were as painful and impressive as it gets. The only asterisk for me is that while one can say he is just that good to get away with loading up and be frustrating, I get that, he looks like he is developing bad habits and going through the motions vs last few. But you also cannot argue with the end game on his part...clear points wins doing what you do in last to over matched dudes, close the show. He can't be knocked for that. I just wish he would notch down the legend speak and trying to force some spectacular finish with almost every obvious set up. That is where it may catch up to him vs Rigo or Mares. He has had spots where he feints to counter and it is so forced he goes off rythm. A guy who waits also, just as fast will have more than a few points to land. That being said should he defeat them I'll be the first to say job well done. I just see him having more issues with Rigo than Mares when I think about it!? The good thing is I really think we'll find out soon. I put Mares v Donaire right up on the most anticipated list!