122 LB. CHAMPS CLASH FOR UNIVERSAL SUPREMACY
Nonito Donaire KO’s Fernando Montiel
Sacramento, CA– After months of back-and-forth social media insults and accusations of “ducking,” Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs) and Guillermo Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs) have finally agreed to face each other at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The two super bantamweight (122 lbs.) titleholders will compete for super bantamweight supremacy on April 13th, 2013. One man will end up with his hand raised at the end of the night, but which man will that be?
DONAIRE BACKERS CLAIM RIGO DOESN’T TAKE WELL!
Donaire supporters say that Rigondeaux is not seasoned enough as a professional to compete with the “Filipino Flash.” They also point to Rigo’s apparent lack of punch resistance after being wobbled multiple times by Robert Marroquin (22-2, 15 KO) in his last fight. Specifically, they point to the punch that rocked Guillermo; the left hook.
POWER OF NONITO SECOND TO NONE TODAY?
The “Filipino Flash” has one of the most lethal left hooks in all of boxing, and fans question whether or not Rigondeaux will be able to survive his power. This is a legitimate question, and part of what makes this such a compelling fight. What many of those who say Rigondeaux’s night is destined to end on the canvas fail to note, however, is the fact that Rigondeaux is a highly skilled boxer with several years of experience.
CUBAN HAS TRUE BOXING PEDIGREE!
Guillermo Rigondeaux
Before turning pro in 2009, Rigondeaux compiled an amateur record of nearly 400 fights with only 12 losses. He won gold in both the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games in the bantamweight (119 for amateurs) division. Though he only has 11 fights as a pro, that number can be a bit deceiving considering how lengthy his amateur career was. Also worth noting is that Rigo has only fought the best possible opponents during his short pro career, and has never fought anyone with a losing record.
RIGO LOOKS TO EXPOSE NONITO’S SHORTCOMINGS
Omar Narvaez (38-1-2, 20 KO), Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (22-2-1, 19 KO) and Jeffrey Mathebula (26-4-2, 14 KO) all posed some problems for Nonito and exposed some flaws in his style. Donaire
does not look nearly as good against technical boxers as he does against brawlers like Jorge Arce (62-7-2, 46 KO). The fact that he was unable to hurt Narvaez bodes well for Rigondeaux, who is bigger, stronger, quicker, and has better technique than the Argentine.
CUBAN ‘S FIGHT TO LOSE?
I see Rigondeaux out-boxing Donaire in this fight, though I am just as curious as everyone else about whether or not he will be able to withstand the power of the Filipino Flash. Rigondeaux has a lot of power of his own, however, and certainly has the potential to hurt Nonito to the body. This is one of the most intriguing bouts in recent years, and I can see it going either way,
but I am leaning towards Rigondeaux by decision.
Zak “Attack” Young