Prime Rigondeaux vs Naoya Inoue now

Rigondeaux would be a very tough matchup for Inoue. He would make Naoya look very bad in spots, but he wasn't busy enough to win 7 rounds and would be suspectible to flash KDs, as was the case vs. Donaire.

 

Prime Rigondeaux would be a problem for Naoya Inoue but let's not forget that he's been dropped numerous times by much lesser fighters. Inoue is also the more dynamic offensive fighter with a high ring IQ himself. The Tapales fight showed how well Inoue can make adjustments when needed and at some point he'll be able to land something big that will hurt Rigo down the stretch.

 

Inoue beats him up.
Rigo was extremely sharp and skillful, but also showed no heart, durability issues sometimes.

Inoue could get hurt and outboxed for 5 or so rounds but i think he'd then adjust and batter Rigo. If Inoue could get to that body, Rigo would be finished before 8.

 

I'm only referencing that fight because, in his prime, Rigo was exceptionally hard to land 1 punch on let alone beat.

Loma was much bigger than Rigo but his style also made it hard for Rigo. Loma used lateral movement when Rigo bent at the waist and that caused Rigo problems. Again, Loma wins regardless due to size disparity but his technique also showed some rare holes in his otherwise bulletproof defense

 

He moved up two weight classes.

 

Loma didn't use lateral movement; he stepped in and literally leaned on the smaller Rigo whenever he dipped. Rigo was so old, small, and shot that he made no adjustments whatsoever and kept reacting to Loma's feints by going low. It was absurdly simple and boring; hardly a masterclass.

 

You should watch more closely. Lomachenko used lateral movement frequently throughout that fight and demonstrated brilliant footwork. Watch the first round and pay attention to his feet

 

Nah, there is nothing brilliant about smothering a guy bent down like that. Loma made a correct, but very basic tactical adjustment to Rigo's antics, but Rigo was supposed to answer with his own adjustment and stop doing the same stupid **** over and over again.

Rigo brought nothing. He took the fight because he was desperate for money, but it was pretty much a tank job. He had no shot and fought like it.

 

Didnt that other Jap give Rigo alot to think about.

 

IDK. What I do know is that Inoue hasn't even come close to logging a win that's as good as Rigo's win over Donaire.

 

Rigo has the ability to neutralise any opponent and turn the fight into a borefest; Inoue would probably win a lacklustre fight in a fair decision win.

 

If Rigo wasn't chinny, he'd win. But he was chinny, so Inoue KO

 

I pick Inoue, but not with a huge degree of confidence. One thing is for sure, prime Rigo would be by far Inoue's toughest test.

 

Inoue starches Rigo in the latter half of a fight where Rigo runs like a coward