Guillermo Rigondeaux: Is He Going to Be Robbed Of Possibly Being One of the All Time Greats?

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By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux, 15-0, 10 KO’s will go down as one of the greatest amateur fighters of all time. A fighter who captured gold in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games. A fighter who is a master technician of the “Cuban School” of boxing. A fighter who claims to have fought over 475 amateur fights before defecting to the United States in 2009. A fighter whose professional career now sits in a state of uncertainty.

Rigondeaux’s team which includes manager Gary Hyde, and Rigondeaux’s promotion company Caribe Promotions has been unable to get him a single fight this year. This in spite of Rigondeaux holding the WBA (Super) Super Bantamweight, WBO Super Bantamweight , and The Ring Super Bantamweight title’s. Guillermo who turns 35 September 30th is in dire need of signing with a major promotional company or risks fading away as a boxer known for being too good for his own good.

Let’s start with Rigondeaux’s technical boxing style. Guillermo was brought up as a student of the “Cuban School” of boxing. A style known for speed, defense and counter punching. One in which a fighter is taught to be the technically superior over his opponent, where his every move is a calculated step. Like a chess player, the students of the “Cuban School” of boxing are thinking in advance of how to counter their opponent’s moves.

Unlike other styles in boxing this style seems to be more of an amateur style, a style that is not appreciated by most fans and one which is many fans find boring. After Rigondeaux’s win over Nonito Donaire, 34-3, 22 KO’s, Bob Arum Rigondeaux’s former promoter had this to say, “I’m 81 years old and I’m probably going to have to do the best promoting job I’ve ever done,” he said, laughing. … “It was the exact opposite of the last two HBO fights we had. It was not a very engaging fight. …

When Rigondeaux stands and fights, the [expletive] has a lot of power and a lot of skill, but running the way he does really makes it not a watchable fight. I had Donaire up by one point heading into the 11th, but clearly, Rigondeaux won the last two rounds. Clearly.”. Two fights later Rigondeaux was released by Top Rank. These comments as well as HBO refusing to air Rigondeaux’s last Top Rank fight have many promotion companies staying away from Guillermo.

As the calendar year comes to an end, time continues to slip away from the aging champion Rigondeaux. “El Chacal” must make some big decisions and quick, whether it’s agreeing to be the “B” side, moving up in weight to face fighters such as Lomachenko, Santa Cruz, or Gary Russell, JR. or changing his style to be more fan friendly. He is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have mixed feelings regarding Guillermo, I for one appreciate his style, but with that being said, Rigondeaux and Gary Hyde must understand it’s going take some maneuvering on their part as well to put together a string of fights for “El Chacal”. Hopefully the right decisions are made not only for Rigondeaux but for the boxing fans as well.

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