Having recently won the WBA junior featherweight championship of the world, Guillermo Rigondeaux seems eager to get back into the ring.
It was January 20th when Rigondeaux, a two-time Cuban gold medalist, iced Rico Ramos in six rounds to lay stake to his first professional bounty, the earlier-mentioned WBA strap. Possessing an undeniable aura of confidence along with a ring-awareness and countering ability that are both sharp as a tack, the 31-year old Rigondeaux knows that the time to push forward is now.
Earlier this week Rigondeaux told BoxingScene.com?s Reynaldo Sanchez that he was open to facing fellow prizefighters Nonito Donaire, Abner Mares, and Toshiaki Nishioka and that he was simply waiting on their managers or promoters to make the fight.
Wanting to follow up with Rigondeaux, who is back in the gym ?3 times a week?, he estimates, to get back into form, I rang up his strength and conditioning coach James ?DJ? Montanocordoba, who landed in South Florida from Atlanta, Georgia last Tuesday to begin his role in camp. Advertisement
Cutting right to the chase, I asked the proud fighter who he feels would be the biggest threat to him out of the trio of Donaire, Nishioka, and Mares.
?I respect all of them,? Rigondeaux stated, speaking to Montanocordoba. ?I can?t pick any names. All of them are good fighters and I just have to be prepared to fight any of them. I can?t say one is better than the other. I just want to fight any of them.?
Donaire is coming off a fairly-entertaining split-decision on February 4th over Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in San Antonio, Texas that netted him the vacant WBO junior featherweight crown. Rigondeaux was ringside for the contest and feels Donaire clearly deserved the nod despite the ridiculous card from judge Ruben Garcia favoring Vazquez.
?Obviously it was a good fight and Nonito won clearly,? Rigondeaux added. ?There?s no doubt about it, that Nonito won the fight. I went over there hoping I could get the winner, but if not, I will just have to prepare for whoever comes.?
Rigondeaux showed some initial disgust after his visit to San Antonio, as he was shocked to find out that neither HBO nor Top Rank, who handle Donaire, made any real recommendation of the two champions facing one another. It was Rigondeaux?s purpose in visiting Texas to stir up a little bit of interest in a fight between him and Donaire but after having a few weeks to reflect on the situation, he harbors no ill will.
?I don?t have bad feelings,? said Rigondeaux calmly. ?I just feel like things happen in boxing and I just don?t want to give it no mind. The reason I was over there, I?m just a fighter who wants to fight, that?s it.?
Noticing that Rigondeaux was short and to the point with his first volley of answers, I wasn?t surprised in the least when he showed little interest in a possible bout between Donaire and Jorge Arce, who he is rumored to be facing either next or later in the year.
?I?m not even thinking about that. I only hope that the winner can fight me,? Rigondeaux stated smugly.
During last week?s dBoxing Source Radio show, hosted by fellow Examiner Dennis ‘dSource’ Guillermo, I brought Montanocordoba on to the show and heard him get into a bit of a debate with Donaire?s wife Rachel, also a guest on last week?s show, and a few others as to the actual relevance of a Donaire-Rigondeaux fight at this point.
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EXCLUSIVE DONAIRE / RIGONDEAUX SLIDESHOWS: Images from Donaire’s bout with Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. / Guillermo Rigondeaux wraps up training in Vegas ahead of Ramos clash / Photos from Donaire’s camp in Vegas as he prepped for Vazquez / Images or Rigondeaux’s knockout over Ramos at the Palms while Mayweather, Ward, Julaton attend
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Those opposed to the matchup, at this point at least, seem to feel that Rigondeaux needs to prove himself further and build up his resume before going after the biggest possible fights, also citing him only having nine bouts as a bit of a drawback.
Rigondeaux?s response was crisp, as he gave his personal take.
?I feel better that, with nine fights, I have a title, and most people never are there to fight for a title,? stated Rigondeaux. ?Even if people criticize me for the way I earned it, it makes me feel better that I only have nine fights and they avoid me.?
Rigondeaux?s countryman and featherweight star Yuriorkis Gamboa created quite the stir earlier this month by not showing up for two scheduled press conferences in Miami and Los Angeles to promote an April 14th fight with lightweight terror Brandon Rios.
The fight fell apart due to Gamboa?s apparent reluctance and unhappiness with his co-promoters Top Rank and Arena-Box, and he now sees his career in limbo for the moment. Top Rank also turned around to file a breach of contract suit against Gamboa, citing that his contract with them be upheld.
Gamboa?s situation is perplexing and Rigondeaux can?t dig into it too much, instead opting to focus on his own career.
?I don?t give it no opinion because I don?t know the situation with Gamboa,? said Rigondeaux. ?I can?t make no comment on that. I just try to worry about myself. I understand that?s pro boxing, I know it?s a business, but right now, with the people I have, I?m able to think clearly and I?m just focused on fighting.?
Rigondeaux considers Gamboa a bit of a friend but was wise enough to admit that he wouldn?t know how the Rios fight would have played out.
?I always support my fellow Cuban but I understand that each person prepares in their own camp and I don?t know what can happen in the camp,? stated Rigondeaux. ?I can only see the fight and you can only tell when the fight happens. All I can do is support Gamboa.?
