Before you skip reading this article to attack me in the comments section and degrade me as a human being, hear me out. While we know only one story, here is what’s possible in regards to the way the fight ended.
It is absolutely possible that:
- Lomachenko outclassed Rigondeaux, and he just quit mid fight to avoid embarrassment or damage. That is the Loma fan theory.
- Rigondeaux actually hurt his hand, didn’t see a way out, so he stopped. Rational boxing fan theory.
- Rigondeaux choked on the big stage. Also Loma fan theory.
- He threw the fight. “Boxing is corrupt” boxing fan/conspiracy theorist theory.
If you read the title, then you know that I think #4 is also a possibility, just as much as any other option.
Here is why:
#1 He Wasn’t Hurt at Any Time During the Fight
At no time during the fight was Rigondeaux actually hurt by Lomachenko. The only hard punches landed were on the break and nothing clean ever got off. There was no real damage done. Just a lot of pitterpatting and barely grazed punches. All the amazing stuff Loma is known for, like turning his opponents, he couldn’t do to Rigo. Every time Loma tried to turn him, Rigo was right there in front of him, pivoting off the front foot. The first two round went exactly as I thought they would, both fighters missing, and showing off why they’re gold medalist. At this point, size did not play any role. So as for the first reason above, I didn’t see Loma outclassing, or damaging Rigo enough to make him quit.
#2 Winner’s Mindset
Someone that goes this long in his life winning on the big stage doesn’t just quit and give up. He didn’t win the olympics twice on accident, he didn’t defect from Cuba randomly, it was hard work, and bravery that got Rigo to this point in his life. Someone with that mindset doesn’t stop mid way when he still has the ability to keep going. It’s hard for me to imagine a person that has done that much in life, quit in the biggest fight of his life. He still had another hand that he could’ve at least finished the fight with. He has a great right hook so I don’t buy the fact that his left was the only way to win that fight. Rigondeaux has been a winner his whole life, I don’t know that he would give that up so quickly over an injury. The only thing I can think of is if he had incentive to throw the fight…
#3 He Had Incentive
In the pre fight build up, we hear a story of his son who is still in Cuba. We’ve known in the past history of famous Cuban athletes giving the Cuban government money to bring their family here. So put yourself in Rigo’s shoes. Everyone avoided him in the boxing world and he wasn’t getting another big fight after this. Especially because this was a competitive fight and if he happened to lose, he was never going to get a big payday again. It’s not crazy to think that for the sake of his family, and a final payday, he gave up the fight for a better future. A person that has been through what Rigo has, has to be as cynical as they come. This makes for a perfect storm. At best, his reported earnings for this fight was $400,000. That’s not nearly what Rigo deserves for the career he’s had.
#4 Other’s Had Incentive
As the saying goes “no one wants to see how their cheeseburger is made” so naturally, boxing fans usually don’t like to lift that curtain. But the boxing world is corrupt and they had a huge incentive to approach Rigo with a proposition. Vasyl is a huge money making machine. He is being marketed as the next great and has the appeal of a superstar. He can generate much more income in the long term than it would take to make offer to Rigo. We all know Loma, no matter how well he did, wasn’t going to knock Rigo out. However, with the way the fight went down, it went perfect or a “No Mas Chenko” marketing plan going forward on top of some big, winnable fights for Loma.
#5 “Not that Bad”
At the end of the fight the doctor asked if they need to go straight to the hospital or its if its not that bad, Rigo responded “not that bad” . We didn’t see him land the left hand awkwardly or at any point where we see him potentially hurt his hand. This just didn’t happen. He was inactive pretty much for the whole fight, just being defensive and then just quit. I don’t know about you, but seems off to me.
We Haven’t Heard from him since
To make things even more odd, we really haven’t heard from Rigo at all since the fight. He has been completely missing in action. This is very odd that he hasn’t commented on the fight at all. Maybe he is just embarrassed after all the build up hype and talk but that is usually just part of the game. You don’t see McGregor in hiding after not living up to his trash talk, or any one else for that matter.
Maybe..
Maybe he took the money. If you think about it, Cuban boxing hasn’t done anything for Rigo despite his skills and accomplishments, USA boxing hasn’t either. At this point in his career it was either take the money, or beat this guy and be avoided some more. Or, maybe I’m just a deranged fan who is trying to irrationally rationalize why one of my favorite fighters lost. Maybe Rigo got old overnight and we he just doesn’t have it in him anymore. Maybe he absolutely knew he wasn’t winning the fight and decided not to continue. Maybe he actually hurt his hand. Maybe my cynicism comes from being around boxing and speaking to guys who know things about the original “No Mas” fight that others don’t.
Unless Rigo tells us, we will never know.
It’s Not Vasyl’s Fault
If you allowed yourself to be influenced by this theory, don’t blame this on Vasyl. He went out there and did what he had to do. In fact, it is highly likely that he just went out there and beat Rigo up fair and Square. It’s possible he did to Rigo what he does to everyone else, and he is in fact, that good. It’s possible that he just won the fight and was dominant. Either way, he is a fighter, and fighters go out there to do what they do best: fight.
Whatever Your Thoughts
Whatever your thoughts on this fight, both fighters are tremendous athletes who deserve a spot in the hall of fame due to their accomplishments. I’m probably just mad that such a historic event for boxing ended in such anti climatic fashion. Or, there is actually some weight to this theory. Either way, I hope we see both guys again and hope to hear from Rigo soon. You’re missed by your fans.
Also, before you unleash your wrath in the comments section, keep in mind this is just a theory.
Brawl all day!!!
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