Donaire LARGELY depends on having a speed and power edge on guys. He has neither over Hamed. And he has a mediocre defense, which equals death against Hamed.
I think I'd go with Donaire actually. To be effective they both need their opponent to come forwards. Hamed was the more deadly puncher but when he was forced to lead he wasn't nearly as dangerous. Thus, just like with Donaire vs Riggo, this would come down to who is the better boxer, and in this case it could be Donaire.
The biggest obstacle here for Donaire is size... He's never fought a true featherweight, never mind a banger at the weight like Hamed However, I completely disagree with this notion of Donaire having mediocre defense... why, because he was hit by a guy with fantastic boxing ability combined with ridiculous speed? Hamed was a terrible boxer and was himself very hittable.
I think Prince would take him out because Donaire is basic as fuck, and Hamed if nothing else was fast, unpredictable, and a huge puncher. I think it would be short and sweet to be honest with you.
Bro, Donaire ALWAYS gets hit. He just has a solid chin. His defense is better than average by NORMAL fighter standards, but it's pretty mediocre by elite fighter standards. Can't afford that against Hamed. And no, Donaire doesn't have the skill and ring IQ of Barrera.
Donaire look horrible last nite....but looking at his whole career...I think he does okay with Hamed. Prince will be coming forward wide open ready to get countered...I think Hamed get's drop once or twice before he string enough punches together to discourage and maybe later on KO Donaire...
Donaire gets hit a bit because his style is to let a guy get close so he can blast him... he seldom ever gets caught with big shots (except for last night against a wizard who could probably box better than Hamed after suffering a massive stroke) he will take some meaningless shots if it means catching a guy with a bomb... he's done it over and over... The idea that he'd just be cannon fodder for Hamed is absurd, like Hamed is some brilliant strategist
Never said he'd be cannon fodder for Hamed, I simply think Hamed would catch and KO him eventually. I feel Hamed is in the same boat as Trinidad. Both were ABSURDLY overrated when they were around, but years after both have been gone, they've become very UNDERRATED. And I say that as a Trinidad detractor, and a Hamed HATER. Hamed isn't Nshioka, or Darchinnyman. I could definitely see Donaire touching up, but in the long run I can't see him avoiding Hamed's bombs enough to win. Donaire isn't some super skilled guy. Like Roy, MUCH of his style is centered around his physical gifts. Difference being, outside of chin, he's nowhere near as physically gifted as Roy. If we're talking about the circa 95-97 Hamed, then Donaire has no real edge in speed or reflexes, which he usually has over guys when he looks spectacular.
Donaire is far more technically skilled than Hamed is... Every criticism you have of Donaire applies even more to Hamed
No shit he was more technically skilled than Hamed! Still doesn't change the fact that Hamed was the most devestating puncher in history of south of 130, and that Donaire is no defensive wiz. I'm hardly trying to defend Hamed, but in his only career loss he lost to an all time great with a higher ring IQ, and better technically skill than Donaire. And, even YOU would have to admit that Hamed in 01 had lost a step from the fighter he was in the mid 90's.
I don't think Barrera was more technically skilled as a counterpuncher than Donaire by a long shot... I also know he wasn't as fast of hand nor anywhere near as powerful What fighter as good as Donaire did Naz lay waste to?
