It's not always about skill: Why Loma beats Rigo and Why Smith Jr. beats all 175lbers in my opinion!

Most boxers who make it to world level have amply displayed they have the will. The will to train, make weight and fight. The things which separates when the immovable object meets the irresistible force are, more often than not, skill and technique.

Yes, someone's will can be broken in a fight but that's often because their gameplan has proved ineffective or they're been hurt and so on, in other words their opponent has proved superior in most or all aspects. The battle of skills decides the battle of wills and vice versa. You cannot cherry pick one aspect of fighting and hold that up as the decisive one above all others.

Sometimes, a boxer's will to win does make the difference, like Hatton vs Tszyu but how did Hatton's 'will to win' work out for him against Mayweather? Same person, same will, less skill...

 

Loma takes out Rigo. I agree with that.

That fight will never happen though .

Both Beterbiev and Stevenson knocks out Smith Jr.

Smith Jr can definitely develop and get much better

But as of right now, he's still green and has many holes in his games.

 

I don't see anyone at 175 beating Smith Jr. either. He just punches too hard, can take a punch and has heart.
I think he needs to move up.

 

If they fought at 122, Rigo beats Lomo and breaks his face, shattering it like lightbulb glass.
At 130, Lomo wins by decision.

 

Because of his skin color Smith Jr is going to get hyped beyond his level. If he and his team believes their own hype, he's going to get hurt. Put him in there with Stevenson and we'll find out pretty shortly.

 

It's a sport after all with a physical component. Strong or fast guys beat more skilled guys all the time.