Bigger waste of talent: Guillermo Rigondeaux or Yuriorkis Gamboa?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Jun 19, 2018.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who do you think was the bigger waste of god-given talent? Both were Olympic gold medalists with an extensive amateur background with special boxing abilities and athleticism.
    I think Rigo squandered his talent the most. Wasted most of his career after his big win over Donaire by constantly fighting a negative style and not giving other top fighters any reason to fight him. Has since made poor career choices and then suddenly disappeared after an embarrassing loss. Very disappointing considering how good he really was.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 19, 2018
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 19, 2018
    #1
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  2. CST80

    CST80 De Omnibus Dubitandum Staff Member

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    Rigo isn't a wasted talent, he fought that way for a reason, he knew he'd get KTFO if he didn't, that was his only option. Its an unenviable position, entertain the fans, get violently KO'd, bore the crap out of everyone alienate all the fans, scare off opponents, keep the hardcores and your 0. By the way, people tend to forget, his schooling of Donaire was mind-numbingly dull as well. So he did what was expected of him, if anyone thought he'd change his style, they were just being naive.

    Gamboa's chin let him down, and he just was't all that good to begin with.
     
    CST80, Jun 19, 2018
    CST80, Jun 19, 2018
    #2
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  3. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    Gamboa could not sustain his successful form. He couldn't stop eating apparently and moved up in weight, most of us knowing his T-Rex arms and short stature would not translate to success. Also, he was busted in the Miami PED clinic bust, so there is that too. Rigondeaux had a fraction of the promotional and financial support that Gamboa had.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
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  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Gamboa missed prime years with promotional issues, so the answer is him.

    It would've been nice to see Rigo fight Santa Cruz. A fight with Frampton would've been one sided in his favor and nowhere near as significant as the Donaire win.
     
    NoNeck, Jun 19, 2018
    NoNeck, Jun 19, 2018
    #4
  5. bluebird

    bluebird Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rigo is one of the best pure boxers ever, skillwise it's not close. Gamboa was a top top athlete, one of best ever in that department.

    I think Rigo beating Donaire is enough to give him HOF (+ amateur career). Gamboa never got that big big win.
     
    bluebird, Jun 19, 2018
    bluebird, Jun 19, 2018
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  6. ideafix12

    ideafix12 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Guillermo Jones??
     
    ideafix12, Jun 19, 2018
    ideafix12, Jun 19, 2018
    #6
  7. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Vaso
     
    WhataRock, Jun 19, 2018
    WhataRock, Jun 19, 2018
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  8. WalcottsBentFace

    WalcottsBentFace Member banned Full Member

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    Rigondeaux didn’t waste his talent. He did the best he could and went as far as he could until biting off more than he could chew against a much better fighter 6 months ago. It happens.
     
    WalcottsBentFace, Jun 19, 2018
    WalcottsBentFace, Jun 19, 2018
    #8
  9. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    One win shouldn't get you in the HOF.

    List Rigo's 2nd-5th best wins and be blown away by how dreadful, relative to being a HOF'er, they are.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
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  10. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    You sound bitter, "Nonito."
     
    NoNeck, Jun 19, 2018
    NoNeck, Jun 19, 2018
    #10
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  11. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    I was super bitter on the night, have let that known.

    But this would be the first time someone accused me of being a Rigo hater if that is your implication.

    Nonetheless, would love to see someone list those 2-5 best wins Rigo has that warrants being in the conversation of being a HOF'er, let alone actually saying he should be one.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
    #11
  12. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    He moved up two divisions to fight an immense talent in an attempt to be great. Not something to hold too harsh against him.

    He got paid peanuts in his career relative to his ranking, but I can't help but feel he could have faced another name or two had he taken half a peanut. And that is sort of my thought process on all "avoided fighters."
     
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
    Nonito Smoak, Jun 19, 2018
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  13. Contro

    Contro Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tell that to Joe Frazier.
    Unless you think Jimmy Ellis is a HOFer, because the resumes other than Ali are near identical
     
    Contro, Jun 19, 2018
    Contro, Jun 19, 2018
    #13
  14. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    both won titles and defended multiple times. They had good careers.
     
    slender4, Jun 19, 2018
    slender4, Jun 19, 2018
    #14
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  15. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Quarry x2
    Ali x3
    Foreman x2
    Bonavena x2
    Machen
    Jones
    Mathis
    Foster
    Bugner
    Chuvalo

    That's 15 fights., he only had 37 of them.
     
    slender4, Jun 19, 2018
    slender4, Jun 19, 2018
    #15
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