-First let me say that I'd like to slap the $hit out of anyone who thinks Rigondeaux was "running". It's called lateral movement. Not every fighter is so limited in his skill-set that he is forced to play rock em sock em robots while standing still like he's wearing invisible cinder blocks tied to his feet. I know I'm going to be seeing someone cry "runner" sooner or later, so there's my anticipatory rant.-
That said, I really liked Rigondeaux's ring generalship. He wouldn't let Donaire set his feet to save his life, and that straight left was like a laser. Deadly accurate. I'm very impressed with what I just saw. Rigondeaux was the boss in the ring tonight, without question. He made Nonito fight his fight, and If I were just a random person not knowing who either fighter was, I'd walk away from this fight having to say I thought Donaire pretty much got outclassed, outboxed, and made to look frustrated and confused for the duration...
Donaire looked lost in there tonight. I don't know another way to put it. Someone should have drawn him a map.
Great fight on paper. GREAT performance on the part of Guillermo Rigondeaux. The man has arrived.
I iknow, I think Donaire got frustrated with the fact the Rigondeaux kept moving and side stepping everywhere. Donaire wouldnt put any punch combinations into his work. Then with that, and Rigondeaux holding his head and pushing him everywhere, dang ive never seen a fighter control somebody like that in a while. I bet donaire was frustrated ... on a scale 1- 10..... 9.999999
I don't really know how frustrating he is, but has no one else to blame but himself. Here he is, going against a 2 time gold medalist and very good defensive fighter and counter puncher in Guillermo, and he makes crucial, CRUCIAL mistakes in training camp. He doesn't talk to his trainer a WEEK before the fight. He doesn't see him until fight night. He spends time with his family during his training (a major no no, distractions) and he stayed up very late last night before the fight. I mean, come on. The fight of Nonito Donaires career and he screwed it up by not fully preparing himself for the fight.
At the weigh in as well, Rigoneaux looked focused, and ready to go. Nonito was smiling, making jokes. Not taking things seriously. Setting himself up for failure. No way he was gonna win the fight whenever i saw all of this.
As for the fight itself, I had it 10 - 2 for guillermo. Domination. Nonito wasn't the agressor, Nonito was getting pushed backwards at times, everytime he swung at Rigoneaux, Guillermo found a way to get out of the way (with the exception of the 10th round). Guillermo is a stud and deserved the win tonight, but Donaire could've shown up to this fight much better preparation and could've made this fight less of a snooze fest.
Donaire did kind of give up and than 12th round sealed the deal.
Donaire needs to pressure constantly, not in spots like he did in this fight. He thought he cold end it with his left but Rigo is too smart and too fast for that.
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the boxing super bantamweight G.O.A.T.! He owned Donaire! I'm so glad that someone finally shut Nonito Donaire up! He ain't ****!
I've been in there with fast elusive guy's like that before and let me tell you nonito was very frustrated. It is a very messed up feeling wanting to exchange with a guy who is steps ahead in there. I was very impressed with Rigo's footwork in this fight as well as his composure. Some judges find it irrestible to score for the aggressor especially in rounds with little action.
The Cuban camp is clever. They knew that if they fight Donaire along pro boxing line, they run the risk of losing, So they simplified the situation. They allowed Rigo employ what he does best--the amateur style of fighting where his speed, better footwork and lateral movements and punching accuracy are premium. Nonito never got untracked to impose the pro style of fighting and got sucked in a fight similar to a Olympic boxing finals. So what can we expect. The better Olympian won--handily, Note that Nonito did not even make it to the US Olympic boxing team losing to---irony of ironies, recent title loser and fellow Pinoy, Brian Viloria. Simple as that.
Nonito had he's socks knocked off. Was taken to school.
114-113 proves corruption in boxing.
Rigondeaux did as he pleased with Nonito Donaire. Man, what an effective boxer that RIgo is.
I expected Donaire to eventually pick up the pressure and open up opportunities, but it almost seemed like he gave up.
BTW the scorecards were ridiculous. 114-113 ??? WTF ?
