Nonito Donaire-Guillermo Rigondeaux Preview & Prediction

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Nonito Donaire is probably the hardest punching fighter in boxing at the lower weight classes. Six years ago he put his name on the map when as a flyweight; he put the then reigning champion, Vic Darchinyan’s lights out with a devastating left hook. Ever since then, he has been wreaking havoc on a very distinguished list of opponents. His best win came in 2011, when he KO’d top bantamweight Fernando Montiel with a single left hook bomb that had Montiel struggling desperately to rise off the canvas only to fall right back down suddenly thereafter. Donaire has great speed, quick reflexes and numbing power. One knock on him though is that he will sometimes wait for the perfect punch in a fight and when it isn’t always there he sometimes gets frustrated. His defense is adequate due to his quick reflexes and foot speed but when he does let his hands go, he can be hittable and open to counter shots. Nevertheless, he has simply been too overwhelming with what has been put in front of him thus far in his career.

Guillermo Rigondeaux is a Cuban export that may be one of the finest amateur fighters to ever come out of that great boxing nation. At 5’4 Rigondeaux is usually the shorter fighter in the ring. He is a veteran of over 400 amateur fights, 2 Olympic Gold Medals but with only 11 pro fights. Even with his limited pro experience, he has been able to advance in the pro ranks at an exceptionally fast rate. He won his first title in his 7th pro fight against the tough Panamanian Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. It was an ugly fight that many feel Cordoba could have gotten the nod in.

It was not one of Rigondeaux’s best performances. Since then he has been impressive with 4 wins, 3 coming by knockout, over some decent opposition but still not quite on the level of opponents that Donaire has faced. Rigondeaux is a highly skilled counterpuncher with excellent boxing skills. He doesn’t force anything and is very patient and methodical in the ring. Due to his tight defense, he doesn’t give his opponents much to shoot at and is often able to catch them whenever they make the slightest mistakes.

Donaire is considered the favorite due to the fact that he has received more exposure at the pro level than Rigondeaux. Although Rigondeaux may be the slightly better technician with pretty decent power, it’s not inconceivable that Donaire could take his head off with a perfectly timed left hook even though Rigondeaux does not make too many mistakes. If Robert Marroquin could do it, why wouldn’t Donaire be able to?

Although Rigondeaux is quick, I still believe that Donaire can beat him to the punch, speed up the pace of the fight, and avoid his counter shots. Rigondeaux does have power with very good technique, but I see Donaire as the heavier hitter in this fight. I think either man can hurt the other, but I think Donaire will put out more volume in this fight and apply a lot of pressure that will make it difficult for Rigondeaux to land freely with enough shots to stop Donaire from coming forward. I’m going to go with Donaire because I believe that he will systematically outland Rogondeaux over a long fight, winning by decision or possibly a sudden stoppage, if he finds a clean shot.