By: Albert Alvarez
Donaire(31-2, 20 KOs)/Rigondeaux (12-0, 9 KOs) afterthoughts- Going into the fight, I felt that Donaire’s pro experience would outweigh Rigo’s amateur scoring style. I also felt that it would be Donaire that would be the quicker fighter because of that. Boy oh boy was I ever so wrong, dead wrong feels more like it. It was Rigo who controlled the pace and had Donaire guessing all night long by constantly turning his opponent and never allowing him to have his feet set.
I also mentioned in my prediction that the fighter that had the quickness advantage would be the one to win this high speed chess match. Quickness from the eyes and mind, and right from the jump, it was Rigo’s eyes and mind that seemed to be 3 to 4 steps ahead of Donaire. Nonito failed to adapt, he allowed himself to get too comfortable with his skill set and didn’t feel the need to further his boxing education.
Roy Jones Jr. was the very same way. He got used to dominating his opponents on pure athletic ability, hand speed, and incredible reflexes, that he failed to sharpen his mind on other important aspects of the sweet science. Take a deep look at Jones’s arch rival, Bernard Hopkins. Roy was and is more naturally gifted, but Bernard continued to sharpen his mind and because of that, Hopkins is the better skilled fighter. Bernard’s commitment, dedication, and not being afraid to expand his mind to sharpen his craft and boxing IQ, are more than enough reasons as to why the man today at 48 is still performing at a high level.
Another thing that I noticed, was that Donaire tasted Rigo’s power early, and became gun shy because of that. Aside from Rigo’s masterful boxing performance, what Rigo did last night is what I like to call, ”Eliminating the Questions.” Top fighters absolutely love to make an excuse for themselves by saying, ”every time I win, it’s always something, that I beat someone old, or someone that was too young, it’s always something new..” Well, those type of comments are gonna always come if you give them reason to come!
What Rigo did last night was dominate a top fighter in his prime, making it impossible to question. All top fighters, must take note of that. I also want to add that I felt that Nonito would beat Abner if they ever fought one another, but I always felt and still feel that Mares has the best chance of beating Rigondeaux. Abner took the wheels off of Anselmo Moreno quite easily, and Moreno is a pure boxer. Right now, I would pick Rigo to beat Mares, but Mares’s dog fight mentality is what is needed to put that heat on Rigo.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Live from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Showtime
Saul Canelo Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs)vs. Austin Trout (26-0-0, 14 KOs)- I can’t seem to call this one. I keep going back and forth on this pick, and just when I feel comfortable with my pick, something then comes right back to me like a boomerang. My early pick has always been Trout. I just feel that Trout has a lot of range and knows how to do the subtle small, yet eye catching things that steal rounds. Canelo on the other hand, usually wins his rounds by landing forceful loud thudding shots that leave a big impression on the judges.
In saying that, I strongly feel that Trout must knockout or knock Canelo down a couple times in order to win this blood feud clash in Texas. Point blank, Austin must think of this line, Trout must leave ”No Doubt” and knockout. Out boxing Canelo in this one will not spell victory, Austin has got to know that. The extremely loud crowd will sway the judges into giving rounds to Canelo each time that Canelo unloads his combinations. And let me tell you this, that young red headed kid places his punches very well from top to bottom. Man, I hate doing this, but I got to change my pick . I am now picking Canelo Alvarez to beat Austin Trout by very possible argumentative split decision.
