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).

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.

[TitoFan]

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.

@Rantcatrat , you're absolutely correct on the high-risk, low-reward description of the fight. But to clarify... it's more of a case of me giving Donaire more credit than some people are giving him, than of me dissing Rigo. Rigo admittedly has vast amounts of amateur experience. And I've mentioned how having someone like Pedro Diaz in his corner is a big plus.

[Mars_ax]

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.

@Rantcatrat,
The bottom line: Is Rigon as good as a lot of his fans think he is? I believe in a lot of ways he is, but not when it comes to Donaire, who's a level above him.

[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.

[Silkeyjoe]

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.

I have a feeling hell have to win clearly to get a decision. If he dances around I'd fear judges would score for Donaire for being the come forward aggressive fighter despite not landing as much.

[IamInuit]

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.

Cant see that. Rigo likes to mix it up himself which could amount to his undoing. I think he really wants to prove something and its a perfect platform to take the spot light away from the other super stars.

Just don't see this going to the cards.

[Rantcatrat]

What are the current odds on this bad boy?