I think it's a cop out that people put so much blame Bob Arum for this one, and this is coming from someone who hates Bob Arum.
Did you guys really expect Bob Arum to make a superstar out of a 30-something Cuban super bantamweight?
Nobody can make Rigo a star, he just doesn't have the necessary qualities for it. He's not with Arum anymore, right? Is he now on the fast-track to stardom? He hasn't even fought in 2015.
First of all, he's very small. Most people do not pay a lot of attention to those weight classes. He also wasn't marketed very well, and he has enough talent to be an avoided fighter.
But I think a lot of it falls on his own shoulders as well. He's only had 15 professional fights, but still only fought twice a year in 2013 and 2014. He hasn't even fought in 2015. You don't build a fan base like that, especially in that weight class. He is undefeated at super-bantamweight, but hasn't moved around in weight to find big fights. He is a great boxer, and a very good puncher, but doesn't always finish guys that he probably could (2 KO's in his last 5). He doesn't talk trash, or even speak English, so he never does American interviews.
He's a great fighter, but he has very few things going for him that are fan friendly, and he doesn't seem interested in trying to change that. If you're that small, you have to go out of your way to make a name for yourself.
Out of curiosity, what super bantamweight superstars can you name off the top of your head? I think, in a way, the "why isn't Rigo a star?" question is kinda obvious.
First of all, he's very small. Most people do not pay a lot of attention to those weight classes. He also wasn't marketed very well, and he has enough talent to be an avoided fighter.
But I think a lot of it falls on his own shoulders as well. He's only had 15 professional fights, but still only fought twice a year in 2013 and 2014. He hasn't even fought in 2015. You don't build a fan base like that, especially in that weight class. He is undefeated at super-bantamweight, but hasn't moved around in weight to find big fights. He is a great boxer, and a very good puncher, but doesn't always finish guys that he probably could (2 KO's in his last 5). He doesn't talk trash, or even speak English, so he never does American interviews.
He's a great fighter, but he has very few things going for him that are fan friendly, and he doesn't seem interested in trying to change that. If you're that small, you have to go out of your way to make a name for yourself.
Out of curiosity, what super bantamweight superstars can you name off the top of your head? I think, in a way, the "why isn't Rigo a star?" question is kinda obvious.
I appreciate your passionate response but I never said a star just more popular
I appreciate your passionate response but I never said a star just more popular but a lot of what you said probably explains the reasons
Well, all the guys that could boost Rigo's popularity simply aren't there for him to fight. Rigo was blatantly ducked by LSC and even Frampton seems hesitant to take him on without at least one last big name fight. Mares doesn't seem that interested either. And Rigo isn't doing himself any favors. Loma said it was fine to face Rigo so long as it was at 126 and Rigo wasn't interested. Fine, I won't say anybody's ducking, but he's not doing himself any favors there.