You may be wondering, if you're not much into boxing, why tonight's Vasyl Lomachenko - Guillermo Rigondeaux fight, which will be aired live on ESPN from Madison Square Garden, is such a big deal. And the answer, really, is pretty simple.
These are two of the best boxers in the world. Indeed, they may be the two very best. That's a big deal, no matter which way you slice it. What's more, these were two of the best amateur fighters in the world back in the day. Indeed, they may have been the two very best. Again, that's a big deal, no matter which way you slice it.
Now, with such a high level event going down, you may wonder why it's not on pay per view. The truth is that neither of these two combatants have huge fan bases, and popularity dictates who doesn't and doesn't fight in the pay per view market. That's why the insanely popular Conor McGregor got on pay per view to face Floyd Mayweather without a single professional boxing match to his name.
Speaking of popularity, the business of boxing is so cruel that it has iced out Rigondeaux up until this point at least partially because the man has been so good top level fighters haven't wanted to face him. Indeed, he's had to go up in weight to face Lomachenko - though to call Lomachenko afraid of Rigondeaux would be ridiculous. Here, for once, is a man who isn't afraid to face the Cuban whiz.
Of course, it has to be noted that Rigondeaux can indeed be a boring fighter to watch. Sometimes - not all the time, as his powerful detractors would have you believe - but sometimes, he's all skill and no thrill. That, friends, doesn't make for good television. Tonight, though, Rigondeaux is taking on a fighter who isn't afraid to bring it. And who seems to be as talented as he is.
Lomachenko is the favorite walking into the fight tonight, and that's completely understandable. Don't be surprised, though, if Rigondeaux walks away with the upset win.
No comments:
Post a Comment