Who was better: The Juan Meza that Payakaroon beat or...

[Flea Man]

...the Ricardo Cordoba that Guillermo Rigondeaux beat?

Different stylistically but who was the better contender at the time, who was closest to their best, who presented the superior stylistic challenge, what was the better win?

[lora]

I'd go with Meza as the better fighter.

Fairly typical mexican textbook oriented box-fighter skills-wise....nothing too notable there, but solid enough, a dangerous puncher and throws a fair amount of quality punches.Methodical and a bit slow of foot at times.

Cordoba's an awkward outfighter who can scrap a bit.Doesn't have much sharpness to him though in any area.Better than average perhaps for a lower weight contender of this era, but an ordinary talent really.

I remember payakaroon beating Meza very comfortably and looking good throughout, if a bit lazy and casual at times.One of many fights that is overdue a rewatch though.

Rigondeaux looked good until he got briefly stunned by a right jab.Fight reminded me a bit of Kalule v Kudo up until then.Rigondeaux just taking it easy, sliding forward and picking him off, showing some good defence.

After he went into stick and move\perimeter mover mode he looked a lot less convincing.Didn't look comfortable or potent offensively in that role, even though Cordoba was incapable of getting punches off on the frontfoot.Settled down a bit again at the very end, but it was a worrying fight to me as far as how easily he gave up the initiative.Makes me wonder how he'll hander a better fighter being able to land more consistently on him.

[Flea Man]

Lovely stuff. Cheers Mante'.