Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Jesus Martinez - February 24, 2023

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Press Release

Former two-time world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, with a professional record of 20-3-1 (13 KOs), will return to the ring for the first time in almost one year when he headlines the fight card at Hialeah Park on Friday, February 24.

Rigondeaux, whose last bout was a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Vincent Astrolabio on February 26 of last year in Dubai, has been sidelined since suffering severe facial burns and eye injuries in a freak kitchen accident at his home in Miami nine months ago.

Now 42 years of age, the former WBO/WBA super bantamweight and WBA bantamweight world champion will attempt to tap the fountain of youth in his 25th professional fight as he looks to win for the first time since defeating Liborio Solis in February of 2020.

Rigondeaux tasted defeat in 2021, when he lost a twelve round split decision at the hands of then WBO bantamnweight champion John Reil Casimero.

He tried to bounce back the following year against Astrolabio, in what many saw as a very winnable fight, but the Cuban veteran was dropped in the eight round - which made the big difference on the scorecards, with Astrolabio securing a score of 95-94 from all three of the official judges.

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Guillermo Rigondeaux Vows To Put on a Show in Comeback Fight

As Boxing Scene previously reported, former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux is back. The veteran Cuban fighter will break a long period of inactivity and return to the ring on February 24, as part of a card presented by Warriors Boxing that will take place at the Hialeah Park and Casino.

This will be his first fight since losing by unanimous decision in February of last year in Dubai, in a fight against the Filipino Vincent Astrolabio.

A comeback was put on hold when Rigondeaux suffered an accident at home that affected his vision and put his career in doubt.

"I can't tell you how happy I feel to return to do what I like so much, which is boxing," said Rigondeaux to George Ebro.

“This is the second fight of my career in Miami, the first in Hialeah. I know I'm in the final stretch of my career, but I hope people respond and come see me. After all, I am part of the history of Cuban boxing..

As the main event of the evening, Rigondeaux [20-3, 13 KOs] will be facing the Colombian Jesus Martínez [33-17-1, 16 KO), while in the co-main event the Cuban Ariel Pérez de la Torre [9-1, 7 KO] will face the Venezuelan Yonfrez Parejo [25-5].

At 42 years of age, Rigondeaux is in the final chapter of his career and returns after suffering from two consecutive losses against Astrolabio and John Riel Casimero, so he would be looking to return in top form at 118 pounds.

“I think Guillermo Rigondeaux hasn't said the last word in his career yet,'' said event promoter and one of the heads of Warriors Boxing, Luis de Cubas Sr. “I was lucky to be the manager of an already veteran Roberto Durán and he achieved many things when everyone said he couldn't take it anymore. With Guillermo this can happen again."

After his escape from Cuba in 2009, the two-time Olympic gold medal winner turned professional and remained undefeated for almost nine years, but his ultra-defensive style has won him fans and detractors in equal measure, among those who consider him a pure boxing virtuoso and those who consider him boring.

"I know it's always been like this and it's very hard to please everyone," Rigondeaux explained. “But on February 24 in Hialeah you will see some changes that will allow me to punch better and please the crowd. I'm already training full time and I just tell people to come see me. You won't regret it."

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Press Release | Undercard Information

Former three-time world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux, with a professional record of 20-3-1 (13 KOs), will return to the ring for the first time in almost one year when he takes on veteran Jesus Martinez in the 10-round bantamweight main event at Hialeah Park on Friday, February 24.

Rigondeaux, whose last bout was a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Vincent Astrolabio on February 26, 2022 in Dubai, has been sidelined since suffering severe facial burns and eye injuries in a freak kitchen accident at his home in Miami nine months ago.

Now 42 years of age, the former WBO/WBA super bantamweight and WBA bantamweight world champion will attempt to tap the fountain of youth in his 25th professional fight as he looks to win for the first time since defeating Liborio Solis in February of 2020.

Martinez of Miami via Colombia, has a record of 33-17-1 with 16 knockouts. Martinez has defeated Jonathan Burgos (9-2-1), Miguel Martinez (20-2), Angel Berrio (14-2). Martinez has also shared the ring with former world champions Luis Nery and TJ Doheny as well as top prospects Gary Antonio Russell, Dominique Crowder and Antonio Vargas. Martinez is on a two-fight winning streak.

In Eight-Round Bouts:

Ariel Perez De La Torre (9-1, 7 KOs of Mexico vis Cuba takes on Yonfrez Parejo (24-5-1, 12 KOs) in a super bantamweight clash.

Hugo Noriega (5-0, 3 KOs) of Cuba takes on Carlos Mohammed Rodriguez (15-10-1, 6 KOs) of Mexico in a welterweight fight.

Yoaki Urrutia (9-0, 6 KOs) of Cuba battles Luis Eduardo Florez (26-25, 21 KOs) of Colombia in a middleweight tussle.

In Six-Round Bouts:

Damian Lescaille (2-0, 1 KO) of Cuba fights Lucas McDonald (1-10, 1KO) of Belville, Texas in a welterweight bout.

Carlos Fromenta (9-1, 5 KOs) of Cuba will take on Armando Reeves (3-10-2) of Jefferson City, MO in a cruiserweight fight.

In Four-Round Bouts:

Jose Brayan Fonteboa of Hialeah, Florida will make his pro debut against Ashton Royal (1-4, 1 KO) of Texas in a super lightweight affair.

Adlay Rodriguez (2-0, 2 KOs) of Cuba fights Ryan Schwartzberg (1-9-2, 1 KO) of Dania, Florida in a super lightweight bout.

Gustavo Trujillo (1-0, 1 KO) of Cuba will take on Jawaski Bethly (0-1 of Louisiana in a heavyweight bout.

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Date: Friday, February 24
Main card: 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. GMT
Rigondeaux vs. Martinez (approx): 10 p.m. GMT / 3 a.m. ET
The fight will take place at the Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, Florida.
Broadcast details are yet to be confirmed for the event.

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Tonight.

NOT on tv

[Petercattermole]

https://bxngtv.com/warriors022423/

[watsupdoc87]

Anybody get the result?

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RIGONDEAUX FINISHES OFF MARTINEZ AND CALLS FOR TITLE FIGHT

The Cuban showcased his power and off his rival Jesús Martínez in the opening round on Friday night.
Contrary to his classic Cuban style, Guillermo Rigondeaux decided to go all-out and finish his opponent as soon as the bell rang for the first round with the pressure proving too much for the veteran Jesus Martinez.

On Friday night in Hialeah, Florida, 'El Chacal' returned after a nine-month absence following a cooking accident that had a guarded prognosis due to the extent of his eye injuries.

However, Rigondeaux knew what was at stake in this fight, not only was it a chance to beat Martinez and earn his first win since 2020 - after he lost to Filipino John Riel Casimero and Vincent Astrolabio - but also the desire to halt any hints of retirement at the age of 42.

The former WBA world champion came out aggressively and immediately landed some big shots on Martinez who struggled to cope and resulted in the referee stopping the fight before the two-minute mark.

"I just wanted to say I'm back. The Jackal is back. The legend" declared Rigondeaux who secured his 21st professional victory and his 14th knockout win.

——————
Cuban Yoanki Urrutia defeated Luis Eduardo Flores by unanimous decision.

Scores: 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73

[watsupdoc87]

Ive liked rigo since hyde brought him over here to beat casey after afew fights as a pro. But every time I've seen him , video or camera shot. I always think, this guy has never smiled in his life

[wrighty]

Ive liked rigo since hyde brought him over here to beat casey after afew fights as a pro. But every time I've seen him , video or camera shot. I always think, this guy has never smiled in his life

His light heavy Luis Garcia was class. I thought he was going to go all the way then he disappeared. Is Gary Hyde still in boxing?

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Guillermo Rigondeaux: “The Goal is To Be Champion Again, Continue Making History”

"We are working for the big things as we have always done and we do it at one hundred percent. I know something big is coming for me and I'm training for it. You know that I am a machine and that I never stop," Rigondeaux said to George Ebro.

"We're just adjusting some tactics to go to work like we did in that last fight. I have nothing to lose, but there is still a little bit of the Jackal left. I am going to come forward and throw all of the ammunition that I have left, of that I am sure.

"The goal is to be champion again. I want to continue making history, making a difference. I have a chance to be champion at 118 pounds. I told you once that I was going to be a champion at that weight and I have no doubt that it will happen. For me to be champion again would be the greatest thing. I have the dedication and the discipline that no one can take away from me. To all the champions at 118 pounds, I want to say that I am back. They know that I am dangerous, they mention my name and say, 'yes, he is 42 years old, but he is very difficult.' They know that I'm like a crossword puzzle."