Earlier today at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort in Macao, China, current WBA and WBO Super Bantamweight Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux sent a bold statement to his soon to be former promoter, Top Rank, Inc., and cable giant HBO.
After being labeled by both respective powerhouses as an unmarketable commodity within the entertainment business that is boxing, the proud Cuban exile tattooed perennial contender and title challenger Sod Kokietgym (63-3-1, 28 KOs) with a blistering combination that ended the scheduled 12 round fight before it ever ostensibly began. The right hook, straight left combo not only stopped the customarily durable veteran at the 1:44 mark of the opening stanza. But the two punch statement by the justifiably disgruntled pound for pound fighter also seemed to emphatically give both the premium network and the Hall of Fame promoter a figurative ?F.U.? with each landed shot.
The controversial nature of the stoppage appeared especially appropriate, considering how bad Rigo?s relationship with both organizations eventually became.
At the 1:20 mark of round number one, the slick southpaw moved in to deliver a straight left hand and inadvertently clashed heads with Kokietgym, which sent him straight to the canvas writhing in pain.
Although referee in charge Mark Nelson gave the 37 year old fighter about twenty seconds to gather his senses, it was obvious to most ringside observers that the brutal head butt genuinely bothered the Thailand native and apparently dazed the gallant fighter.
Upon the third man in the ring issuing a motion to officially start the fight clock once again, the unsuspecting title challenger reached out to touch gloves with the hard nosed Cuban fighter and caught a perfectly placed one two with his face that consequently sent him to the canvas for good. A nice send off for boxing?s notorious Cuban maverick.
The half round performance fulfilled his final contractual obligation with promoter Top Rank, Inc, with no apparent intent for renewal. The championship bout was originally scheduled to be televised on HBO2 this afternoon as part of a tape delayed Top Rank triple header. HBO decided to change the ?afternoon delight? to a double feature, showcasing prospects Zou Shiming and Gilberto Ramirez in their respective bouts instead.
If fight fans want to catch all 104 seconds of Rigondeaux?s bout, they will have to wait until 11PM EST when Unimas airs the replay. Although Rigo will more than likely end up signing with boxing power broker Al Haymon, to eventually be featured on Showtime Sports, his sad situation with HBO and Top Rank is a sobering reminder that business comes first in the unique ?sport? of boxing.
Have big network dates turned into the “real” world titles of boxing?
That truly seems to be the case when observing the Super Bantamweight Champion?s current situation. Because if a fighter can?t sell tickets or attract viewers, his accomplishments in the sport really don’t seem to matter.
