Guillermo Rigondeaux: champion-fugitive

In the era of the Soviet Union, the Cuban sport, in particular boxing, experienced a period of recovery. It can be said with certainty that the Soviet masters of pugilism formed the school of Cuban boxing. For many years and to this day, athletes from this country are performing superbly at the international level, both among amateurs and among professionals. In this article we will talk about Guillermo Rigondeaux, an athlete who managed to win both the amateur and the championship titles.

Curriculum Vitae

The world famous Cuban was born on the last September day of 1980 in Santiago de Cuba. As part of his national team Guillermo Rigondeaux beat in the weight category up to 54 kilograms. His international debut came in the tournament Giraldo Cordova Cardin, where he was able to take first place.

Olympic Games and Amateur Tournaments

In 2000, the Cuban went to the Sydney Olympics. These prestigious international competitions have become a real triumph for him, because in Australia he won his first Olympic title. In the final he overcame the representative of Russia Raimkul Malakbekov.

In 2001, Rigondeaux was able to become a world champion in Belfast, but this height was unattainable at a similar tournament in Bangkok in 2003.

At the Athens Olympics in 2004 Guillermo Rigondeaux was considered the main candidate for the championship and fully justified his favorite status, having overcome the final battle of the Thai Voropai Pechkoom.

The last major international success was expected by the Cuban at the 2005 World Championships held in China.

Fugitive

July 22, 2007 Guillermo and his teammate Erislandi Lara fled from the location of their team during one of the international tournaments held in the capital of Brazil. Soon there was information that both boxers were in the ranks of the promotion company Arena Box Promotions. But the reality turned out to be more severe: in early August 2007, athletes were arrested and deported to Cuba, where they were expected to be disgraced and deprived of seats in the national team.

Transition to professionals

For the first time in the ring as a pro Guillermo Rigondeau set foot on May 22, 2009. In that battle, he won a technical knockout of Juan Noriega. In general, the Cuban owns several records of professional boxing. For example, already his third fight was title and twelve-round. In the seventh battle, he fought for the title of interim champion, and in the ninth - for the belt of a full-fledged champion.

Winning the WBA Belt

At the end of January 2012, Guillermo Rigondeaux, whose fights always aroused great interest among the public, met with acting at that time world champion Rico Ramos. Already in the first three minutes, the American went down. In the sixth round, the Cuban was warned for hitting the back of the head, after which he literally flew to Rico and sent him to a knockout.

Unification bout

April 13, 2013 Guillermo Rigondeaux - a boxer who is rightly considered the best in his weight - went to fight with the representative of the Philippines, Nonito Donaire. At that time, the Filipino had three times as many fights as the Cuban. Rigondeaux was more accurate and faster than Donaire. Already in the first round, the Cuban was able to shake Nonito. The Filipino quite actively went ahead, but the Olympic champion from the island of Freedom skilfully moved on his feet and defended well. However, in the tenth round, Doner still managed to send Guillermo down during the exit from the clinch. However, following the results of the whole fight, the Cuban decision won the referee's decision and, thus, combined the WBA and WBO belts.

The fight with the Japanese and the deprivation of titles

On the last day of December, 2014, Rigondeaux struggled with Hisashi Amagas. The first four rounds of the Cuban won without any problems. But in the 7th round he was in for an extremely unpleasant surprise - he twice went down. This situation caused Guillermo to get together and start working at full strength. As a result, in the 11th round the Japanese refused to continue the fight.

In October 2015, the Cubans were deprived of the WBO world title due to long downtime and no belt protection for nine months.

July 16, 2016 Guillermo Rigondeaux and James Dickens held a previously planned fight, which was originally due in March. Then the duel was canceled because the Cuban was denied a British visa. Nevertheless, their battle took place later, and again the victory was celebrated by Rigondeaux.