WHAT CONSTITUTES A BORING PRIZEFIGHT?
Los Angeles, CA– Much controversy has been made due to HBO’s apparent ban of fights involving WBO and WBA junior featherweight (122 lb.) champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (12-0, 8 KOs).
Guillermo Rigondeaux
Rigondeaux, a former two-time Olympic gold medalist who defected from his homeland of Cuba in 2007, dismantled and decisively beat pound for pound talent Nonito Donaire (31-2, 20 KOs) in a unification tilt in April of this year.
SOME LOVED RIGO, OTHERS DID NOT
It was a scintillating performance for some viewers to watch the mastery of the “sweet science” by the Cuban. For him to reduce Donaire, a Filipino American, to what amounts to a novice, was intriguing to watch for some. For many others, some who are members of the boxing media, the fight to say it mildly, was a “bore”. The differences in opinion here are vast, because to some, what constitutes a good fight is two guys who just close their eyes and throw caution to the wind and soak up loads of punishment for our entertainment. For others like myself, I can truly appreciate two guys who don’t throw a 100 punches a round, but have more of an economical approach to boxing. They may not throw a lot of punches, but like Floyd Mayweather (44-0, 26 KOs) and the aforementioned Cuban, each punch has a purpose, and there is a certain appreciation for many viewers to that style of boxing.
PERCEPTION OF “EXCITING” REAL ARGUMENT HERE
I would never be one to say that Rigondeaux is at the level of an Arturo Gatti in terms of entertainment value. However, it normally is the pairing and not necessarily the particular fighter that can make a bout exciting. Erislandy Lara (18-1-2, 12 KOs), a product of the renowned Cuban amateur system that teaches boxing rather than brawling, was in a back and forth battle against Alfredo Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs), in which he came back from two knockdowns to stop the rugged Mexican in the 10th round of a 154lb WBA interim title fight in June. Lara and most Cuban fighters are typically counter punchers and stylists, who wait on their opponents for an opening. It doesn’t always make for the most fan friendly fights, but with the right opponents in front of them, it can typically create the drama that fight fans crave.
DID HBO EXPECT SOMETHING DIFFERENT FROM COUNTER PUNCHERS?
I think it needs to be noted that Donaire and Rigondeaux was a high quality bout between the two best fighters in their division. Both have power, and both were natural counter punchers who prefer their opponents to lead. It was expected to be a chess match between equally smart prizefighters who would be waiting on one another to make a mistake. It has to be noted that pitted against lesser foes, both have looked spectacular.
What fans and some media members fail to realize is that much of the so called excitement we get in boxing comes from matchmaking. In some cases the matchmaking is quality. When two styles compliment one another you more likely than not get a good match for TV viewers. Certain bouts like the upcoming Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs) vs. Danny Garcia (26-0, 16 KOs) fight in September is predicted to be one of the best of the calendar year.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES WATCHING FIGHTS SPECIAL
Sometimes fights look good in theory and the result may appear to be impressive, but when a fighter is a 8-1 favorite, is that really dramatic when the result is exactly what was expected? I would rather watch a match where I can’t predict the outcome. That in my view is the epitome of what can make a fight exciting to watch. That is what gave the Rigondeaux vs. Donaire fight true entertainment value. While there were some lulls in the action, you know that if either fighter made a big mistake they would be in big trouble as was evidenced in the 12th round of their fight, as well as other moments throughout for either guy.
Kevin Perry