Expert Nonito Donaire vs. Guillermo Ridondeaux Predictions
Nonito Donaire vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux represents a pairing of the top two fighters at 122 lbs, and two of the top talents in the sport. Accordingly, not everyone agrees on how this fight is going to play out, and which man has the edge. Will the Filipino Flash score one of his trademark, big fight, picture-perfect knockouts? Or will the sheer talent of Rigondeaux allow him to outmaneuver his foe?
The ProBoxing-Fans.com team is here to the rescue. Check out our expert staff Donaire vs. Rigondeaux predictions to see how we think this one is going to play out.
Rich Thomas: When I look at Nonito Donaire, I see a really big guy who should probably be moving on to featherweight soon. My guess is that he has to lose 10+ pounds of water weight on the night before the fight, and that is problematic for anyone who has to go the distance against a guy who will push them. Rigondeaux is that guy.
Donaire might be taller, bigger, and the bigger puncher, but Rigondeaux is quicker, has a more brutal body puncher than anyone Donaire has ever fought, and is a skilled counter-puncher. With a match-up like that, I see Rigondeaux getting relatively stronger as the fight goes on, and eventually establishing himself as the matador to Donaire’s bull.
Prediction: Rigondeaux via Split Decision
Scott Levinson: Rigondeaux will hang in there with Donaire in spots. Those might be long spots, where the fight is a high-pitched pitting of skills. Those stretches will be interrupted with displays of Donaire’s greater seismic potential. I expect the durable and resourceful Rigondeaux to hang in there through some rocky moments. In a close fight, however, those more eye-catching moments will stand out and pave the way to a close, but clear and unanimous win for Nonito Donaire.
Prediction: Donaire via Unanimous Decision
[See Scott’s full Donaire vs. Rigondeaux preview and prediction here].
Jake Emen: Stylistically, Guillermo Rigondeaux has the perfect antidote for Nonito Donaire’s offense. I’m not sure there’s another fighter in the sport, from Floyd Mayweather on down, that has the Jackal’s innate calm and cool in the pocket. He has perfect boxing instincts and a ridiculous skill-set. The problem is what I see lacking in him, and that’s the extra stuff to surge ahead and exploit an opening when it’s there, to turn on his own offense and look to do damage, to make things happen against a top-tier opponent. Rigondeaux will have his spots, and he’ll hit Donaire with clean counters that make Donaire and his corner nervous. But the Filipino Flash will be the consistently stronger and more active fighter, and he’ll win a decision.
Prediction: Donaire via Unanimous Decision
Guy Michels: Fighters in the lower weight classes often fail to gain the attention they deserve but this fight has the ability to catapult both fighters into the limelight if it lives up to its expectations. Donaire’s talent is unquestionable, and in the other corner is one of, if not the greatest, amateur fighter of all time who became a professional world champion in his ninth outing. Both men have real KO power with Rigondeaux having dropped each of 11 opponents at least once, while Donaire’s left hook is one of the best punches in the sport. Perhaps more important in the fight’s outcome is the fact that last time out Rigondeaux was shaken on several occasions by Robert Marroquin and has been put down by Ricardo Cordoba as well. For that reason I feel Rigondeaux’s fate will probably follow a similar pattern to Donaire’s past two opponents and he will finish the night on the canvas, however, that being said I wouldn’t at all be shocked to see Rigo spring the upset.
Prediction: Donaire via late KO
Doug Crego: It goes without saying that this is an extremely intriguing matchup between two great fighters. Boxing purists should revel in the display of boxing skill which will no doubt be illustrated in this bout. Donaire is the betting favorite and at first glance looks like a good bet versus an opponent who only has 11 pro fights. But Rigondeaux is not your ordinary 11-0 fighter. He is a 32 year-old master technician who had over 400 amateur fights before turning pro. I believe the pressure is on Donaire in this fight, and I think Donaire will eventually feel he needs to press, which will play into Rigondeauxs strengths. I think Rigondeaux is slick enough to avoid Donaire’s power and has enough hand speed to score in counterpunching against Doniare’s advances, and I believe Donaire’s 12- year win streak ends.
Prediction: Rigondeaux via Unanimous Decision
Kyle Caudle: Rigondeaux was a great amateur and is now a solid professional fighter. With that being said, I’m not worried about the number of professional fights that he has had but rather the lack of opposition in those few fights. I believe that he is a good enough boxer to keep Donaire honest, but he won’t be able to seize any opportunities to land anything of importance during the fight. It has the makings of a chess match in which Donaire’s superior talent will win him an easy yet boring decision.
Prediction: Donaire via Unanimous Decision
Blair Newman: This is one of the best technical match-ups in boxing today. Both Donaire and Rigondeaux have the gifts of speed and skill, so it will be an intriguing tussle, though it is unlikely to resemble some of the recent wars we have witnessed. Having handled Nishioka, I don’t see Rigondeaux’s southpaw stance causing issue for Nonito. Quite the opposite in fact, I expect to see left hook counters over Rigondeaux’s right hand lead proving the Cuban’s downfall. Donaire’s timing is excellent and he is the more powerful of the two. My pick is for the Filipino Flash to win within eight rounds.
Prediction: Donaire via mid KO
Donaire vs. Rigondeaux Predictions – Final Tally
- Donaire: 5 — 3 by decision, 2 by stoppage
- Rigondeaux: 2 — both by decision
Thanks for checking out our Donaire vs. Rigondeaux predictions, and be sure to come back on fight night for our coverage of the event, post-fight aftermath, and more.
