Firstly, in no way am I comparing the fighters here. Haye does not have the technical gifts of Rigo and Valuev is obviously no hw Donaire. I also really enjoyed the Donaire Rigo fight as a great demonstration of the sweet science that kept me on the edge of my seat. But, when Haye followed a similar game plan to Rigo against Valuev, he was derided for running and being boring whereas (understandably on that showing) everyone on here has a hard on for Rigo. Why? Hayes mouth in the build up? no-one should be fooled by self promotion in boxing and I think Rigo had talked of going toe to toe with Donaire. The quality of opponent? Valuevs size advantage pretty much ruled out a tear up.
Think the fact Rigo stood in front of Donaire and landed leads as well as counters from early on show the fights were different. Although i don't think Haye ran he circled the outside like any smart fighter would of. Personally this fight for me was vastly different Rigo controlled the destiny of the fight more. He landed more and engaged more with Donaire.
TBH i watched a view youtube vids with Yanks saying he ran. I think Rigo's getting stick as well. People don't like the Science anymore IMO. Not all obviously but some people just don't respect it and understand it. To me the gameplans were different. I think Rigo toyed with Donaire personally.
I still think haye gets too much criticism for this fight and when watching the rigo fight me and my friend both compared it to the haye vs valuev fight. For me the main difference was the commentary, I was at the haye vs valuev fight live and I thought haye won it easy, he didn't engage much but when he did he hit cleanly and well. Valuev just walked forwards and didn't really catch haye with anything. When I watched it on tv I was amazed at how jim watt (haven't watched fight for ages but think it was jim) was scoring rounds for valuev when he didn't land clean effective punches... Just because he was the aggressor. I think the commentary (even if sub consciously) affects how people remember and review a fight.
Actually if there was a fight that this fight reminded me of it was Frampton vs Hirales. Frampton got some stick for the way he fought, though i personally was impressed at how he nullified the Mexican. Frampton has shown he can fight , box,mix things up and box on the back foot.
Also too many commentators are pulled in by where the fight takes place they kinda subconsciously try to guess what they think the judges will score depending on the environment, which sadly justifies corruption in a way. I just wishe commentators would score as they see it and stick by it
Did Rigo face somebody 8 stone heavier than him..? No. David Haye is a better fighter physically and technically then whoever this Rigo is.
