Guillermo Rigondeaux Denies UK Trip Rumors; Implies Manager Fired

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box_rigondeaux_08On April 13, WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux’s manager Gary Hyde spoke about his fighter’s future. Since the modern approach of calling out future opponents hasn’t panned out for the undefeated fighter, Hyde added that Rigondeaux would personally travel to the United Kingdon to confront his mandatory challenger to his WBA super bantamweight title. This is the same kind of move Floyd Mayweather Jr. used to snag a fight with eight-division world champion, Manny Pacquiao. Hyde added that his fighter is willing to travel anywhere to land a big fight.

“Rigondeaux will travel to Manchester to fight Quigg, Belfast to fight Frampton, or Las Vegas to fight Santa Cruz,” he added. “None of these so-called world champions, though, will consider fighting the acknowledged world super bantamweight champion. They’re all much more content to hold onto their belts than beating the man in their weight class.”

Rigondeaux has had trouble landing big fights since outclassing former titlist Nonito Donaire in 2013. HBO showed him the door after a 550,000 viewer showing against Joseph Agbeko and has fought non-entities since. Rigondeaux added he doesn’t like traveling overseas unless a fight is lined up, but will make an exception for Scott Quigg.

“I don’t like traveling overseas I have a fight lined up,” said Rigondeaux. “I will travel to England in May to publically call out Scott Quigg.”

Now, Rigondeaux is claiming he never made any statements pertaining to his plans to travel to the UK to call out Quigg, although the quotes provided show you that is not the case.

Rigondeaux implied that manager Gary Hyde is going to be shown the door – his contract expires in September – and the Olympic two-time gold medal winner stated that he is going to wait until September “when better things will come.”

“I want to make it perfectly clear – I’m not going anywhere. I’m the champion, the best at 122 pounds, and I don’t have to do anything. I’m going to wait until September when better things will come.”

It’s possible that Rigondeaux has seen enough of the super bantamweight division and will test the waters of the featherweight division. In November 2014, Hyde stated that under his watch, Rigondeaux will not move up a weight class.

“Guillermo Rigondeaux will not be moving up to 126 under my watch,” Hyde said. “Rigo has been 122 pounds since 1999. He’s a small guy who gains four pounds after weigh-ins. Under no circumstances will he fight at 126 pounds.”

If Hyde is gone in September, we’ll see what Rigondeaux’s plans are. He’s a phenomenal boxer, very slick and fast. However, he’s hit the canvas a few times in his current division; it could be a risky division, but it may pay off great dividends.