Actually, no, I take it back. Not only is reaping a net positive from this beyond salvaging - I'm going to say that even a result like a RTD2 drags Santa Cruz's stock down. He needs to at least be able to match what Reynaldo Cajina (who at 13-26-4 now has twice as many L's as W's..) managed.
Sad part is, I don't know what fight has LSC treading so tepidly for him to have this excuse not to fight anyone. It's not like there's this fight where we have definitely seen his limit...is there?? I mean it's easy to see he doesn't beat Rigo but, after that, I see nothing but good winnable fights for him.
I don't know man, his last few performances have been less than impressive to say the least and against very poor opposition as well.
Yeah, looking at boxrec and trying to recall the last fight I seen of his but yeah, you're right, he did not beat his last opponent as easily as expected. I guess that's what it is but idk, I still think him against Frampton or the likes is a worthy fight...just not Rigo, no point in that fight for me.
I can't stress enough: until I made this very thread, Settoul had never been mentioned on this board. Not once.
That is the frustrating part. He is ducking guys against whom he would clearly be favored. Saying he finds even Bedak on a few weeks notice too dangerous?? ...when Bedak himself would be no less disadvantaged in terms or prep time??? I stand by the Guzman comparison. Talented, probably up there among the best h2h in his weight range...but zero interest to challenge himself even remotely. Hell, at least Guzman fought Soto. (which is a little better than anyone in SC's decent run from Malinga through Mijares)