Guillermo Rigondeux: Stop Treating Him Like a Red Headed Step Child
A legend in his own right, but still in obscurity. Guillermo Rigondeux is probably the greatest amateur boxer of all time. His record is unsurpassed, and he was on track to do the unthinkable, with the distinct possibility of winning 4 Olympic Gold Medals. But Mr. Castro put an end to that after Rigondeux was apparently drugged and kidnapped in Brazil. A version of events apparently given by Rigondeux and Erislandy Lara to the Cuban authorities after being questioned about the alleged defection attempt following the Pan American Games.
Rigo was then stripped of his captaincy and barred from participating in boxing. He was tossed into obscurity by the forces that be, in the so-called communist state. The other boxers and coaches were ordered not to talk to him.
Travel forward almost 10 years later and Rigondeux has been tied to a contract with Caribe Promotions since his defection to the US. Caribe Promotions initialed legal action after Rigo fought under another promoter in his first fight. Rigo later was co promoted by Top Rank, which came to an end and leaving Rigo as a seemingly free agent. He then was in discussion with Roc Nation, who had recently signed of boxing elite’s Andre Ward. But again talks fell through and Guillermo is now still in relative obscurity when compared to the far less talented fighters around today.
One day we will be in a position where we all hail Guillermo Rigondeaux. His story so far, for anyone who has the opportunity to look back on it, is nothing short of extraordinary, and a tale that even Muhammad Ali would be jaw dropped to hear about. But for now, he must endure the will of the promoters, and wait in line for his page in history to be recognized.
Scot Quigg, Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz should all be shamed into fighting him. The commentators who brush past his name without fair credit should be ashamed.
He is the most outstanding boxer today in terms of his talent and the journey that has brought him to the land of the free.