Rigondeaux Fears The Top Guys Will Avoid Him at 118

[Ruthless-RKO]

Rigondeaux Fears The Top Guys Will Avoid Him at 118

Guillermo Rigondeaux is waiting for his next opponent, but fears that many will continue to avoid him.

Premier Boxing Champions recently announced their schedule for the rest of 2020 on Showtime, and for the moment Rigondeaux was not slated for any of the cards.

Now it remains to be seen if he will appear on the programming schedule for PBC on Fox Sports, along with some of his compatriots like Erislandy Lara, Luis Ortiz, Rancés Barthelemy and Yordenis Ugás.

The two-time Olympic champion would have liked to fight at least twice more before the end of the year, but he understands that the coronavirus has derailed everything.

"I'm waiting to see what happens to this madness that has happened with the coronavirus. Everything stopped for a little bit, but boxing matches are already back. PBC is back and I hope to be there first," Rigondeaux told George Ebro.

“They say something is coming soon, but it is still unclear. Until then I keep training, not a day goes by that I'm not running or doing something in the Miami gyms. I can't stand still, whether or not I have a fight. My life is training.

"Without an audience, it's a bit boring, but I think we should go out and do our job in the best possible way, while we hope that everything improves and people can return to see boxing live.

"[What happened to me before], I'm afraid that will happen again at 118, [where nobody wants to fight me], but don't get your hopes up because I'm going to stay at 118. There are good fighters in the division, but they know they are going to lose [against me] ... that's the second part of the problem.

"If they don't want to fight me at 118, well, I'll go up to 122 and I'm going to be a super champion again. I've always said that I'll be the king in two divisions, but I need the others to do their part and get in the ring with me.''

[H8Usernames]

Problem with Rigo is he is a bit boring. They should reduce his fights to 6 round bouts.

[Enlightened-One]

There’s no denying that Guillermo Rigondeaux is a talented fighter. However, he’s never been good to watch. And TV networks have never really shown an interest in him, because he’s not entertaining and he doesn’t attract audiences.

I don’t feel that Guillermo’s rivals are ducking him for sporting reasons, because the Cuban is past-his-prime and currently appears very beatable.

It’s just not worth their while to accept a small payday in order to fight him. He’s a long-term member of the “who needs you club?”

[Ruthless-RKO]

Problem with Rigo is he is a bit boring. They should reduce his fights to 6 round bouts.

Since signing with PBC, he has changed his style a little.. Been more aggresive. With that it's a bit more risky, given he's aged and he's been boxing for 20+ years.. and smaller guys don't usually fight way into their 30's.

[lazboy]

The Cuban amateur boxing system crafted a fine specimen. A boxer who can box near the top of the range. Unfortunately, Rigo’s heart is the issue rather than his skill.

[Jeff_lacy_ko]

Hes in the same boat as many fighters throughout the years

Hes boring
Has no fans
Is too good for the old risk/reward formula

He got his big chance to be a top dog and he quit.

[margaret thatcher]

I want him and Inoue to fight each other

[Cent0089]

If champions avoiding him, he should just fight another top10 or top 15 guys. Golovkin was also avoided years ago but he managet to fight Lemieux, Stevens, Murray, Monroe and other decent boxers. Rigo is 39 y old, if champs avoiding him, he should fight Joshua Greer or someone like that. Staying inactive and crying how boxing management is not fair will get you nowhere

[Ruthless-RKO]

Rigondeaux expects to return soon

WBA bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux wants to return to the ring before the end of this year. “Very soon,” he told El Nuevo Herald about his return to the ring. “It seems like something finally came up for me. I don’t know if it’s November or December, but I can assure you that I will fight before the end of 2020. I know that many out there are waiting for me to get back in the ring, but believe me, nobody wants to fight more than I do,” said the 40-year-old veteran.

“The division is pretty good, but the question is, who wants to fight me at 118? That’s the big question, but I’m expecting opponents to show up. What fans should ask themselves is what do the others think about fighting me?”

[1okstcsb]

Hes in the same boat as many fighters throughout the years

Hes boring
Has no fans
Is too good for the old risk/reward formula

He got his big chance to be a top dog and he quit.

Chisora and Gabe Rosado lose a lot more than RIGO does and they keep getting big fights

[Onetimeonly]

Casimero would fight him.

[jujigatame]

I wonder if Donaire would want a rematch. I don't think it would be remotely as one-sided as the first time around.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I wonder if Donaire would want a rematch. I don't think it would be remotely as one-sided as the first time around.

Yeh.. been like 6 years or so since they fought?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Rigondeaux: Casimero is The One I Want, The Perfect Fight To Unify

Two-time Olympic gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux fought only one time in 2020, but he's remaining patient and looking forward to bigger things in 2021.

One potential clash is a showdown with WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero, on a possible date between March and April.

If finalized, it would be the most important fight for Rigondeaux since his December 2017 encounter against Vasyl Lomachenko - and the outcome could define his future in boxing, now that he's in the final chapters of his pro career.

Rigondeaux won a vacant title from the World Boxing Association in February, when he beat Venezuelan Liborio Solís by unanimous decision at 118 pounds. He picked up the belt after a long reign in the super bantamweight division, where he won two belts.

After the failure against Lomachenko, the 40-year-old veteran defeated Giovanni Delgado and Julio Cejas, but neither of these opponents compare to Casimero, who has been champion in three divisions.

For now, Rigondeaux is keeping his body in shape by training on a regular basis.

"I always keep training. You know very well that the gym is my second home and that I'm always doing something. I can't help it, training is like the air I breathe. My body asks me for activity. I barely take a few days off in the year," Rigondeaux told George Ebro.

"[Casimero is] the one I want. It's the perfect one for my desire to unify titles. I have the World Boxing Association and he owns the World Boxing Organization. So I have to go over him to take his title and keep adding wins over champions.

"He's a veteran and I respect him as a champion, but I have [respect] for everyone and I know how to adapt to the opponent, whoever it is, when the bell rings. I've fought in several divisions and I've been in this sport for a long time.''

"[Being away from the ring] ...not only has it been difficult for me, but for all the athletes, because the pandemic has stopped everything and things got complicated. Some have fought once, others have not been able to fight at all. But the important thing is not to stop and keep looking forward and stay in the gym. I'm sure better things are coming."

[Perseus]

It would be great if the networks decide to avoid Rigo

[Ruthless-RKO]

Casimero accepts Rigondeaux challenge for title unification

Guillermo Rigondeaux threw the verbal jab first.

And true to the hype, Johnriel Casimero punched back. Short straight.

Now, it's up to their handlers and promoters to make the fight between Rigondeaux, the two-time Olympic and two-division world champion, and Casimero, the three-weight world titlist.

The renowned Cuban, a proficient ring tactician, told George Ebro: "[Casimero is] the one I want. It's the perfect one for my desire to unify titles. I have the World Boxing Association and he owns the World Boxing Organization. So I have to go over him to take his title and keep adding wins over champions."

Informed of Rigondeaux's challenge, Casimero responded on Facebook Thursday night, December 24.

"Tara tol! Walang takbuhan! Basagan lang ng mukha (Let's go, bro! No running! Just destroying each other's face)!" Casimero said.

Of course, Casimero won't back down from a fight. Fact is, he's known for pestering the fearsome Naoya Inoue for their scrapped unification showdown last April to push through.

Casimero went as far as hurling insults on the "Monster," dubbing him as a "turtle."

Still, his clamor went unheeded as promoter Bob Arum insists Inoue-Casimero should be held before a live audience and not behind closed doors like Inoue's seventh-round knockout of Australian challenger Jason Moloney in October, and Casimero's third-round stoppage of Duke Micah in September.

Casimero is back in the Philippines, enjoying life in the countryside, when he learned of Rigondeaux's dare.

Once again, it fanned Casimero's desire to tangle with elite fighters and Rigondeaux definitely belongs in the bracket.

Rigondeaux counts among his victims four-division world champion Nonito Donaire in 2013, so the Cuban isn't afraid of power-punchers like Casimero.

After suffering his lone loss to Vasyl Lomachenko in 2017, Casimero rebounded by winning his last 3. At 40, Rigondeaux is still fast and can adjust to any type of opponent.

If ever the fight – which could happen in March or April – pushes through, the Cuban wouldn't dare match Casimero's power. He would try to outbox and frustrate Casimero, just like what he did to Donaire.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Rigondeaux Eager To Face Casimero, Not Worried About His Threats

Two-time Olympic gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux fought only one time in 2020, but he has not despaired.

The great fight that Rigondeaux is looking for appears to be on the horizon, although it has not yet materialized. The clash between Rigondeaux and WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero has been in talks for some time.

If made official, it would Rigondeaux's most important assignment since his December 2017 fight against Vasyl Lomachenko. And it's also a fight that could define his future in boxing, now that he is in the final chapter of his career.

Rigondeaux conquered the vacant "regular" World Boxing Association belt in February 2020, when he beat Venezuelan Liborio Solis by unanimous decision at 118 pounds. Rigo decided to drop down after a long reign in the super bantamweight division, where he won two belts.

After the defeat against Lomachenko, the 40-year-old defeated Giovanni Delgado and Julio Ceja, but Casimero, who has been champion in three divisions, presents a far more dangerous challenge.

"Soon , I think the fight [with Casimero] is agreed upon, but we are waiting for the date. I know a lot of people want to see me fight, but this is an important match for both him and myself, but that fight is coming," Rigondeaux told George Ebro.

At the moment, the Cuban veteran continues to train hard in the gym.

"That is the key to success. That's what has kept me going so far: training. Those who have followed my career know that with a fight [scheduled] or without a fight my life develops in the gyms. I can't imagine a day without a little bit of training," Rigondeaux said.

“Many years have passed and many things have happened to me, but I have always maintained myself. The important thing is to establish a routine to occupy the body and the mind.''

Casimero, full of confidence, has promised to batter Rigondeaux when they meet in the ring.

“He can say what he wants, but inside the ring we will be the referee - him and myself. Let's see if he can do it. Let's see if on that day he will really rip my head off. I'm the best pound for pound at 122 pounds and now I'm going for more," Rigondeaux said.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

I wonder if Donaire would want a rematch. I don't think it would be remotely as one-sided as the first time around.

- Cobwebs in the memory banks?

Nonito KDed him twice within 30 sec in the 10th but only credited for the last by Esteves who got embarrassed. That credit changes the scoring to a spare split decision, but more importantly makes Nonito more aggressive the last two rds.

Rigo a classic stink and runner American judges loved back then. Nonito was self trained for the fight and additionally fired BALCO Vic and his vitamins and his manager where he installed his newly wedded pregnant wife. Hired pop as his corner again, a perfect storm of a top 5 p4p kid full of hubris for his fatal fall from grace.

Rigo been ducking the rematch ever since and been stinking so bad he can't keep a promoter. Nonito still a fighter for the people making good fights and purse.

| Rigo in Rigomortis |
R.I.P

[jujigatame]

Dude you are responding to a 6 month old post.

And the 1st fight wasn't close. Rigo won clearly. It was a stinker and Donaire looked afraid to throw anything.

[squiggy]

Why, with one more knockdown, Donaire would've been within nine or ten points of catching up! (On an honest card.)

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Dude you are responding to a 6 month old post.

And the 1st fight wasn't close. Rigo won clearly. It was a stinker and Donaire looked afraid to throw anything.

- I was bored with the current forum stupidity.

Yeah, I get you're math and scoring illiterate, but here 'tis by official numbers.

https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Guil ... to_Donaire

Replete with opposite media scoring proving why boxing has "clearly" become such a fringe sport and Rigo a fringe fighter, the fringiest of the fringe

[jujigatame]

Whatever you say, champ. Keep fuckin that chicken.