This announcement has come as a shock to
many in the boxing world. The Cuban southpaw became the unified the ring, WBO
and WBA (super) super bantamweight champion when he defeated Nonito Donaire
back in April 2013. However after 3 defences, Rigondeaux has now been stripped
of his titles due to inactivity and is struggling to find opponents. Now though his position has been changed back by the WBA to 'champion in recess'.
Being one of the most technically gifted
fighters has been Rigondeaux's major problem when it comes to marketability.
This is the key issue as networks simply do not want to broadcast him due to his 'boring' and 'defensive' style. It has meant he has had a
tough time finding fights and has even been forced to travel to China and Japan
in two of his last three fights.
However he is now on the comeback trail.
He was recently mandated to fight the winner of Frampton vs Quigg, which will
take place later this month in Manchester. His choosing to fight in the UK
against Dickens is a clear ploy to raise his own profile in the country.
A fight with either Quigg or Frampton would be huge and would confirm who the
best super-bantamweight is in the world.
However the fight that all fight fans want to see is Rigondeaux
moving up in weight and taking on Ukrainian, Vasyl Lomachenko, the current WBO
featherweight champion. Both fighters have unbelievable amateur pedigrees
with Lomachenko winning the WBO title in only his third professional fight.
Rigondeaux is one of the most technically gifted fighters on the
planet however in this sport of boxing you need more than just technical
ability in order to have things go your way and this has certainly been the
Cuban’s problem. Hopefully we will be seeing him in some mega fights in 2016/7.
Tom Eckett
@boxingguru44
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