Who wins and how? Rigo was old-ish at the time and smaller than Russell even, but lets put it right at 126 lbs. Who is Loma's 2nd best win? (Linares #1 currently).
That is a very 50-50 matchup. Russell has most certainly improved since his loss to Loma. I think you'd have to favour Rigo, but I think age and the fact that Russell is known for his lightning speed punching, makes the fight very competitive, and I could see either winning it. This old version of Rigo, it reminded me of an old Mayweather, but with less movement. So strong defensively, but that age will play a big part when matched against the speed of Russell, and that would cause problems for Rigo. I fancy Russell Jr to edge this one on points, winning the majority of his rounds through basically just lots of combinations. He outlands Rigo but Rigo scores the more purposeful shots. A close fight for sure.
Russell is a horrible matchup for Rigo. Speed, angles, a chin, work rate, pop, and a size advantage. That's not a good matchup at all for an older, stationary counterpuncher like Rigo. I don't think he can knock GRJ out and I don't see him overcoming the styles disadvantage to outscore him.
Poor Rigo.. All his fan boys citing size.. Yet Loma & Inoue can jump up & succeed against a bigger man yet the 'once in a generation slick boxing wizard' quits!!! 'But Loma was bigger doe...' Then Wtf was McDonell or Linares?! Ha ha ha truth is that fight had little to do with size & everything to do with skill & IQ! I mean what did Lomas few extra pounds over Rigo really contribute to him losing that fight? Why would Lomas few pounds on him impact on Rigo being unable to pick Loma off with a longer reach?! Or stop him throwing hardly anything?? Considering it wasn't even a physical type fight & nor is Loma a fighter who relies on physicality or imposing his size.. all Rigo was doing was ducking below the waist & getting beaten to the punch by a t rex arms!! It was a dance! & he got out manoeuvred! Weight or no weight... & i have no problem with Loma fighting a much bigger Garcia & Linares!
Inoue and Loma didn't jump 2 weight classes at 37 while being inactive and small in that division already to fight a Loma type talent. Let's see Loma at 37 jump 2 weight classes and fight a p4p top 3 guy.
Rigo would win. Arms too long, counter punching too precise. GRJ is more of a volume puncher than a guy who can set things up.
Russell Jr. is Lomachenko's best win. Russell Jr. is a much better stylistic match up for Rigondeaux. Russell Jr. has faster hands, but short arms, and he is somewhat stationary. He's also a guy that is more Rigondeaux's size. He'd probably have a half inch to an inch on Rigondeaux as far as height, but he would be at a reach deficit. At those dimensions, it's a very winnable fight if Rigondeaux has anything left. It's a very intriguing fight as well.
Oh no doubt ellerbe,still it is funny how those who were predicting broken jaws ect have suddenly changed their tune about Rigo. Truth is Rigo is too small but as the op said that didn’t play a part as Rigo never engaged to find that out anyways and even a younger version of Rigo would never have a chance against Lomo imo. That Lomo does fight bigger guys like Linares and is still considered the favourite is testament to his skill,he’s the epitome of what PFP means as we didn’t favour Lomo over Linares because of anything else but his skill as size went to Linares and you’d probably have Linares shading him on power. Crawford and Lomo are some ways ahead imo of the rest and you can say the same about Crawford,folk may bash his resume but that has nothing to do with his PFP status as he will go into the fight with Horn at a new weight and will be regarded as the favourite due to his skill.
Rigo is less effective against southpaws.. at the same time, Russel is not as smart as Lomachenko and doesn't use feints as much as Loma does. I see this fight going 12 rounds, with Russel taking it solely by his own activity and inactivity of Rigo, even though he won't even land a decent punch on Rigo.
