Donaire vs. Rigondeaux - Saturday night fight/chat thread

[TitoFan]

I'm surprised that so many are picking Donaire over Rigo. I'm not so sure. I favor Donaire based on experience and flash, but I have to wonder, would Rigo have lost to any of the guys Donaire beat?

I'm gonna turn this around and ask another question. Has Rigo fought even 1/10th the quality and "who's who" of opponents Donaire has faced and beaten.... as a pro? IMO, the answer is "no". I'm all up for seeing a good fight, which I'm sure we will. But having an 11-fight pro billed as an overnight sensation and a threat to someone arguably in the top 3 current p4p rankings, is slightly odd.

[Mars_ax]

I'm surprised that so many are picking Donaire over Rigo. I'm not so sure. I favor Donaire based on experience and flash, but I have to wonder, would Rigo have lost to any of the guys Donaire beat?

I'm gonna turn this around and ask another question. Has Rigo fought even 1/10th the quality and "who's who" of opponents Donaire has faced and beaten.... as a pro? IMO, the answer is "no". I'm all up for seeing a good fight, which I'm sure we will. But having an 11-fight pro billed as an overnight sensation and a threat to someone arguably in the top 3 current p4p rankings, is slightly odd.

The thing is Rigon might be better then his 11-0 record as a Pro would indicate, but I kind of doubt it. I haven't see anything in Rigon's 3 or 4 Pro fights that i've watched, against mediocre competition, that tells me he's on the same level as Donaire.

[THE THIRD MAN]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Rigondeaux wins a decision here. Both Vic and Montiel were careless, Rigondeaux has been around a lot longer than his professional record indicates.
There is still something about Donaire that doesn't quite gel with me.

[bestjabwins]

There aren't 3 reasons he will flatten Rigondeux, only one - the left hook.

Can't decide who I reckon will win. From what I've seen Rigo is a better boxer on the outside. He has great sense of distance, very precise, and doesn't get tagged flush much. But he'll have to knock donaire out to win, because even if he outboxes donaire over 12 rounds, his cautious style probably means donaire is seen as pushing the action and so gets the nod from the judges.

If Donaire didn't have the big left hook, I'd come down off the fence onto Rigo's side. He probably won't get caught with it from a direct attack by Donaire, but I can see Rigo getting caught by a counter left hook when he throws his own left to the body and leaves his face hanging out unprotected (like donaire's ko of darchinyan).

[Mars_ax]

There aren't 3 reasons he will flatten Rigondeux, only one - the left hook.

Can't decide who I reckon will win. From what I've seen Rigo is a better boxer on the outside. He has great sense of distance, very precise, and doesn't get tagged flush much. But he'll have to knock donaire out to win, because even if he outboxes donaire over 12 rounds, his cautious style probably means donaire is seen as pushing the action and so gets the nod from the judges.

If Donaire didn't have the big left hook, I'd come down off the fence onto Rigo's side. He probably won't get caught with it from a direct attack by Donaire, but I can see Rigo getting caught by a counter left hook when he throws his own left to the body and leaves his face hanging out unprotected (like donaire's ko of darchinyan).

There's a lot more to Donaire's game then just the left hook, aside from Mayweather, at the moment he's the best P4P fighter in the world. It seems like many are giving Rigon way to much credit for what has primarily been a career as a Cuban amateur. I honestly don't get it, it makes no difference how long Rigon has been fighting, there's a huge difference between fighting 3 rounders against kids, and moving up to the Pro ranks and facing one of the best P4P fighters in the world.

[Kirkland Laing]

After watching Rigondeaux get wobbled twice last time out I remember thinking "Donaire sparks him if they ever do fight" and I'm still thinking the same thing. Even if it goes to points I think Donaire does more offensively in the fight and wins a UD.

[Rantcatrat]

I'm surprised that so many are picking Donaire over Rigo. I'm not so sure. I favor Donaire based on experience and flash, but I have to wonder, would Rigo have lost to any of the guys Donaire beat?

I'm gonna turn this around and ask another question. Has Rigo fought even 1/10th the quality and "who's who" of opponents Donaire has faced and beaten.... as a pro? IMO, the answer is "no". I'm all up for seeing a good fight, which I'm sure we will. But having an 11-fight pro billed as an overnight sensation and a threat to someone arguably in the top 3 current p4p rankings, is slightly odd.

The thing is Rigon might be better then his 11-0 record as a Pro would indicate, but I kind of doubt it. I haven't see anything in Rigon's 3 or 4 Pro fights that i've watched, against mediocre competition, that tells me he's on the same level as Donaire.

After watching Rigondeaux get wobbled twice last time out I remember thinking "Donaire sparks him if they ever do fight" and I'm still thinking the same thing. Even if it goes to points I think Donaire does more offensively in the fight and wins a UD.

You three could very well be correct, but I can still see Donaire being pushed here. In my opinion, Rigo is the second best junior featherweight, including Mares.

[bestjabwins]

There aren't 3 reasons he will flatten Rigondeux, only one - the left hook.

Can't decide who I reckon will win. From what I've seen Rigo is a better boxer on the outside. He has great sense of distance, very precise, and doesn't get tagged flush much. But he'll have to knock donaire out to win, because even if he outboxes donaire over 12 rounds, his cautious style probably means donaire is seen as pushing the action and so gets the nod from the judges.

If Donaire didn't have the big left hook, I'd come down off the fence onto Rigo's side. He probably won't get caught with it from a direct attack by Donaire, but I can see Rigo getting caught by a counter left hook when he throws his own left to the body and leaves his face hanging out unprotected (like donaire's ko of darchinyan).

There's a lot more to Donaire's game then just the left hook, aside from Mayweather, at the moment he's the best P4P fighter in the world. It seems like many are giving Rigon way to much credit for what has primarily been a career as a Cuban amateur. I honestly don't get it, it makes no difference how long Rigon has been fighting, there's a huge difference between fighting 3 rounders against kids, and moving up to the Pro ranks and facing one of the best P4P fighters in the world.

There is more to his game but you have to admit, this is the punch you are expecting will 'flatten' rigondeux. He's in love with his left hook and power, and make no mistake, if Rigondeux gets a proper taste of it he'll be KTFO or running for the rest of the fight. But I still think Donaire is relying too much on his power and left hook.

Donaire the best P4P fighter after Mayweather ? Not for me, not yet. Firstly, he'll have to start beating elite level fighters that aren't smaller than him before giving him credit for being able to mythically beat all people at every other weight. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Donaire hater. I think he's dangerous with great potential but I don't think he has definitively proven his standing yet.

I hear what you are saying about a few people hyping Rigo's Olympic pedigree. But I've never put any stock in that, in fact I think one of Rigo's weaknesses is that he seems to drift out of a fight after the halfway mark of a pro fight, where a top level amateur bout might end. Its just that having only watched his professional fights it seems obvious to me his skills are way above average. He's not the type of fighter that is tailor made for Donaire. Donaire gets frustrated when other fighters don't stand in front of him or engage.

[Master]

Just found out this is on Box Nation Rigondeaux is good but Donaire is better.

[beenKOed]

Can't wait, can't wait, if this fight doesn't go the way I think it will, it will be a bigger surprise, to me, than the the way the last Marquez vs Pacquiao fight finished.

[Silkeyjoe]

I'm surprised that so many are picking Donaire over Rigo. I'm not so sure. I favor Donaire based on experience and flash, but I have to wonder, would Rigo have lost to any of the guys Donaire beat?

I'm gonna turn this around and ask another question. Has Rigo fought even 1/10th the quality and "who's who" of opponents Donaire has faced and beaten.... as a pro? IMO, the answer is "no". I'm all up for seeing a good fight, which I'm sure we will. But having an 11-fight pro billed as an overnight sensation and a threat to someone arguably in the top 3 current p4p rankings, is slightly odd.

Cordoba was a very good fighter. Ramos was supposed to be good

[Silkeyjoe]

People here seem pretty clueless about how much skills transfer from Amateur to pro boxing, hence why most of the best ever pros have had good amateur careers. Considering that Rigondeaux is in my opinion the best amateur boxer ever I think he will give anyone in the pros a good fight.

Im picking Donaire to win this by KO but I would not be suprised if Rigo won. He is the best counter puncher i have seen in a long time and if he connects a few big shots early Donaire could start getting scared to throw.

Another thing i find strange with comments here is talking of level of opponents. Donaire hasnt fought that many brilliant fighters. Arce, Nishioka, Mathubela, Montiel are all good fighters but none i would consider great. Vasquez just got beaten by an unknown Jap who had heart but was nothing special. I think Rigo would beat any of these fighters too.

I dont care who wins and just hope its a great fight

[Master]

The way Donaire has beaten his opponents and fighting so frequently I think he is the best fighter 2012.

[Mars_ax]

People here seem pretty clueless about how much skills transfer from Amateur to pro boxing, hence why most of the best ever pros have had good amateur careers. Considering that Rigondeaux is in my opinion the best amateur boxer ever I think he will give anyone in the pros a good fight.

Im picking Donaire to win this by KO but I would not be suprised if Rigo won. He is the best counter puncher i have seen in a long time and if he connects a few big shots early Donaire could start getting scared to throw.

Another thing i find strange with comments here is talking of level of opponents. Donaire hasnt fought that many brilliant fighters. Arce, Nishioka, Mathubela, Montiel are all good fighters but none i would consider great. Vasquez just got beaten by an unknown Jap who had heart but was nothing special. I think Rigo would beat any of these fighters too.

I dont care who wins and just hope its a great fight

@Silkeyjoe -Right, just in case Rigon wins, that way you won't have to eat as much crow.

An American from Texas walks into a bar in Ireland, he spots a beautiful girl setting at a table, goes over and introduces himself, and offers to buy her a pint. She accepts the offer and the Texan exclaims: You must be Irish, because my penis is Dublin.

[Silkeyjoe]

People here seem pretty clueless about how much skills transfer from Amateur to pro boxing, hence why most of the best ever pros have had good amateur careers. Considering that Rigondeaux is in my opinion the best amateur boxer ever I think he will give anyone in the pros a good fight.

Im picking Donaire to win this by KO but I would not be suprised if Rigo won. He is the best counter puncher i have seen in a long time and if he connects a few big shots early Donaire could start getting scared to throw.

Another thing i find strange with comments here is talking of level of opponents. Donaire hasnt fought that many brilliant fighters. Arce, Nishioka, Mathubela, Montiel are all good fighters but none i would consider great. Vasquez just got beaten by an unknown Jap who had heart but was nothing special. I think Rigo would beat any of these fighters too.

I dont care who wins and just hope its a great fight

@Silkeyjoe -Right, just in case Rigon wins, that way you won't have to eat as much crow.

An American from Texas walks into a bar in Ireland, he spots a beautiful girl setting at a table, goes over and introduces himself, and offers to buy her a pint. She accepts the offer and the Texan exclaims: You must be Irish, because my penis is Dublin.

No crow for me thanks. Not shocked by this result at all. Rigo was a step up in class from what Donaire was used to fighting as was Donaire from what Rigo had been fighting. I just loved all the stupid comments on how Donaire was gonna school him its like they never seen Rigo fight before.