Donaire vs. Rigondeaux - Saturday night fight/chat thread

[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.

[Mars_ax]

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

@Master - You lot across the pond should check this one out live, I believe it would worth it.

cheers

[Master]

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

@Master - You lot across the pond should check this one out live, I believe it would worth it.

cheers

I will now that I know it is on, looked at the under card and it looks good.

[Rantcatrat]

You know what @Mars_ax and @TitoFan, I guess my take on this fight is that it is the classic high-risk, low reward type of fight for Donaire. He should get credit for the taking the fight regardless of the outcome. The risk here is that Rigo's success in the amateur ranks translates into success in the pro ranks, that he knows how to neutralize Donaire's left hook, and from that he can beat Donaire. The reward is low because there are Rigo-Skeptics, like you two, who if Donaire wins, will question the quality of the win.

Now, before you argue that Rigo wasn't chopped liver if Donaire ices him in the middle rounds with big left hook, need I remind you that there was a sizable contingency of Rigo-cult fans in the boxing community a few months ago. They felt that Donaire was ducking Rigo by taking on every other notable junior featherweight, other than Rigo.

[Nameless]

Donaire could spark Rigondeaux out but somehow, I feel like the Cuban Prodigy will be able to dance around Donaire all night and get away with an upset UD.