Rigondeaux Outboxes Nonito Donaire

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Photos by Chris Farina
Photos by Chris Farina

As boo’s emanated from the sold out crowd at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, I sat comfortably on my couch in front of the TV, watching a beautiful display of boxing. For your average fan, you’ve heard about some of the buildup. The Cuban guy was an Olympian or something and Donaire won fighter of the year. For your boxing enthusiast, Rigondeaux is more than an Olympian, but someone who has been in the ring over 400 times, accumulating 2 gold medals and an encyclopedia of ring knowledge. Donaire has utterly dominated his opponents for the past year. Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nonito Doniare on paper is one of the most intriguing fights so far this year.

1So as the boo’s continued to fill the theatre, I was astounding by the incredible discipline and clinic created by Rigondeaux. With a strong jab and a showcase of explosive speed, I was equally impressed with what Rigondeaux was not throwing. Yes, unlike the crowd, I was mesmerized by Rigondeaux’s choices of when to punch, when to feint, changing direction and challenging Donaire by lowering his hands and constantly remaining in punching range. It was beautiful.

Unfortunately, watching Donaire this evening was extremely frustrating. After some brutal knockouts and great control of the ring in previous fights, Donaire seemed to be unable to get anything going. Forget the fact that the HBO crew mentioned his weight draining camp and possibly lackluster training, there was no jab; his speed was not lighting fast; combinations were non-existent; the aggression seemed faded. But Donaire has equalizers in each hand. His straight right and left hook are instant knockout producers, always keeping him in the fight. Unfortunately, if you don’t set up those punches with a game plan, especially against the best opponent of your career, those punches can’t product knockouts.

Starting in round 10, Donaire showed why he should be feared for all 12 rounds. With significant urgency, Donaire dropped Rigondeaux, presumably understanding he needed a knockout to win. Risks needed to be donaire-rigondeaux-2taken and Donaire needed to show up in force for the championship rounds. Rigondeaux entered the championship rounds with a probable lead on the score cards (we never know these days) and his typical expressionless expression, looking as composed as he did in round 1. With 1 round left, Rigondeaux’s slick, crafty and powerful style kept Donaire at bay. With 3 minutes left, it was Rigondeaux who landed a huge punch, hurting Donaire and causing him to cover up one eye. Rigondeaux began to apply pressure, hoping to finish the show.

By unanimous decision with closer margins than experienced from my view point, Guillermo Rigondeaux remained undefeated, dethroning the 2012 fighter of the year. Donaire, who has been one of the most active headlining fighters rightfully deserves some time off. After such a tough schedule, regardless if he won or lost, it would be well advised to not think of coming back until the fall. He deserves it. Rigondeaux on the other hand, though unlikely, would be a great match up for Abner Mares. There are also some great options at 126 if he decides to move up. Regardless of his next choice, Rigondeaux has solidified himself as a true professional boxer and not just an amateur legend, who now is ready to make the climb up pound for pound lists.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Bush, I will igore your foul mouth comment ,simply to say,I have forgotten more about this sport than you will ever learn. You are allow race to creep into a sport that isnt about race,it is all about one on one. The color doesnt matter. The guy who started this site has a great idea,lets keep it respectful and clean.

  2. Had to put it out there, but I called this fight after Rigo destroyed Ramos. I thought it was a rather good fight and I was not very bored, the fight had it moments of no activity but I enjoyed it for the most part. I think we got to witness a very talented fighter give another talented fighter a boxing lesson

  3. Rigo completely dismantled and regulated the overrated Donaire with a great fight strategy and a great trainer. Smart fight by Rigo. Dumb fight for Donaire and his inept trainer Robert Garcia. Rios looked terrible also. Garcia isn’t capable of developing a fight plan just trains the fighter.

  4. I enjoy a good fight, cant say that I always get to see a good fight,but when one comes along I am sure I am one of the first to say,it was a great fight. This show that was put on last saturday evening was not what I would call a good fight,it wasnt even a fight,it was more like a field and track event, you had Donito chasing a cuban rabbit,who for the most part fought with his legs. I travel sometimes up to 400 miles from my home to watch a good match, dont mind the cost ,nor the ticket prices. If ever in my small home town this cuban fighter was on a main event card, I would have to be paid to go watch him ,box? I see a lot of mayweather in this man, legs spread wide apart and leaning backwards to prevent any punishment ever reaching him. I saw that when he did make a mistake in his attempt at what one might call a defense, he possesses a glass jaw. Maybe this is why he is afraid of being hit. This last saturday was a total waste of HBO and My time. I wont ever watch this man fight again. Donito always brings excitement to any ring he fights in, but even with his skills, he could not make this appear to be a good fight, more of a chasing deal, as proven by the boos from the audience. Shame on those who presented this fight,as being a stepping stone for an up and coming neew prospect, in the cuban, I will even give his a truck innertube to paddle his was back to cuba.

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