******Rigo v Donaire - Build-up Thread*****

Don't think its anywhere near 11/1. You yourself have probably got it nailed on for how the fight plays out. We've also seen Donaire getting squared on and a little reckless when a fight does play out like that. Now, he might not get that silly against Rigondeaux, but then again...he might. It's a fairly strong possibility on recent evidence, and if he does, Rigondeaux certainly has the ability to deliver a counter with speed and power. It's not that remote a possibility Donaire runs into something big, he hasn't fought anybody capable of landing that type of blow. He's fought a lot of people like Darchinyan and Arce that force the fight which suits him best and we see his best performances, and then smaller, timid opponents like Nishioka and Narvaez which mean he has to pressure to produce a show, he hasn't really fought a guy with speed, counterpunching and power that can really make you pay...until now.

 

amir khans back was massive pre prescott, didnt help him.

tommy hearns skinny legs never held him back

 

A lot of people are saying that Donaire is getting too excited and confident. If he does, he will pay for it. I have to admit that I have been getting the feeling that his mind is a bit elsewhere with the baby on the way. I also don't like that he's starting to believe the hype about himsely (most of it entirely deserved). I'm not so worried about Donaire getting stopped because the style-match-up works against him as I am because I think he might just throw caution to the wind and dive in recklessly, perhaps after stunning Rigondeaux, like you described.

But maybe Donaire is a lot smarter then we're giving him credit for. He's really impressed me with his composure and decision-making before.

Maybe he will control his emotions and prove good enough to control the fight too.

I can't wait!

 

Dwyer brought up some interesting points on this fight (I know people will sigh - because its Dwyer but ignore that for a second...it doesn't detract from the statistical relevance of the point)

Donaire's success rate with his jab against southpaws is truly awful, not even especially canny southpaws, just regular southpaws like Narvaez and Nishioka that maybe fought a defensive fight. If we take it that given that fact...he is not likely to dominate with his jab and length against Rigondeaux, we can also infer he's got to rely on combination punching, mainly power punching to get the job done. So you already know there are openings for the taking in this fight from Rig's POV. If you've got the possibility to step off the gas and control things with your jab, you have a lot more possibilities to manage risk in a fight. If you don't have one, unless your entire game is built around something like ambushing (think David Haye) there is a lot of risk involved against a sharp counterpuncher.

I don't neccessarily favour Rig by the way, I think Donaire may win on points, I just see a lot of danger signs in this matchup that can't be ignored. It's not a nice one if I'm a Donaire handler.

 

Donaire on points for me. It's had a cagey affair written all over it in my mind since the fight was made. Donaire is the more complete, adaptable fighter for me though so I'd expect him to prevail. It's his foght to lose and if he does, it will be because he's approached it wrong.

Although being a top class fighter, I don't see that happening.

 

Lads what time are they due in the ring, UK time?

 

I read around 4am, may be slightly later though.

 

Cheers, ill set the alarm for 4 so.

 

Set it a bit earlier in case I'm wrong :good

 

I just checked with another source, they're saying 11pm eastern USA time, which is 4am. I'll set it for 3.30.

 

HBO starts at 4 am UK time but no undercard tonight so a quick build up and then on to the main event.

 

HBO coverage starts at 4am so they'll do a bit of a build-up before actual fight starts, expect the fight to actually start around 4.15am.

The undercard will be shown live on BOXNATION from around 2 or 3am and features a number of possible future stars of boxing like:

Mikael Zewski - I expect this kid to be Welterweight champ 2 years from now
Glen Tapia - Decent Light Middle prospect
Jesse Hart - Superb Super Middle prospect
Felix Verdejo - This kid could well be a future superstar, possibly the best prospect under 20 in all boxing.

Couple of other prospects on undercard too.

 

Donaire uses his athleticism, ala Roy Jones. I think Rigondeaux beats him on points, ala Bernard Hopkins. Just too technical.

 

It's a tough fight to call. I've cricized Donaire in the past yet praised him in the recent. He was loading up quite a bit until the later part of 2012 when he put on some sublime displays.

Rigo is very classy, I think he can get to used to standing and fighting at his own pace. Tonight he may have to try take Donaire out of his comfort zone and put himself into different situations then normal.

Rigo tends to shoot in using his speed and timing but it can at times be a straight path in. Donaire's a good aggressive counter puncher so Rigo has to work the angles more and keep a little tighter in transition.

I think as mentioned Donaire can at times become sloppy especially if things aren't going to well or crowd get anxious for action. He takes it upon himself to try get them going and that's dangerous.

For me Rigo will get countering opportunities, He starts well often. I think tonight it's imperative he starts early and catches Donaire and puts some doubt into his mind. He cannot afford to move from the waist up. He's got to be ad******g his feet and get Donaire reaching.

The jab for Donaire is key, Against Nishioka you could say it was effective but then again Nishioka had his right glove glued to his head so the jab was rarely ever going to be countered and he often flicked it out and set up the right hands.

Donaire has a bad habit of shooting with the right hand and pulling it but following through with the hips and back leg and squaring up. Cannot do this tonight he's in with a razor sharp technician.

I think Donaire's keys here is to jab with more purpose tonight and take the left hand away from Rigo by circling the opposite way then he did against Nishioka. I think if he goes to Rigo's left he opens up dangerous possibilities.

I think when Rigondeaux is attacked normally it's one punch he evades it then resets. Donaire's got to put another shot in with it, He's got to step around the right foot and he's got to close the leverage on the counter left hand and look to catch Rigo as he sits up.

The left hook for Donaire is a key punch, off of the jab especially. He can set the right hand up without needing to go down the line of fire.

I'm unsure if Rigo presses or hands iniative over to Nonito. As Bernstein said dig the body of Donaire as well. It's worthwhile doing that in this type of fight. He's also got to shoeshine a bit tonight when Donaire gets sloppy step in work step out.

I think we could see both men visiting the canvas tonight. It could be a technical fight with moments of utter madness.