Rigondeaux’ strength coach denies Donaire’s claim

0
994

DJ and Rigo (L-R) D.J. Montanocordoba, Guillermo Rigondeaux and (in background) Gary Hyde  

 

MIAMI (December 28, 2012) – The strength-and-conditioning coach of World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), D.J. Montanocordoba, vehemently denies Internet reports alleged by Nonito “The Filiipino Flash” Donaire that, after the December 15 HBO show in Houston, Montanocordoba verbally accosted a female member of Donaire’s entourage during a heated argument that took place at the Hyatt Hotel.

 

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight champion, reportedly searched for Rigondeaux’ room and later called there and Montanocordoba’s room to address the altercation. Ringondeaux was schedule to fight former world champion Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (48-2, 33 KOs), who failed his medical exam, in the Dec. 15 co-featured bout. Donaire beat Jorge Arce in the main event.

 

“I just want to clear my name,” Montanocordoba said. “I am part of Team Rigondeaux and wouldn’t do anything like that. I didn’t know anything, if it happened, because I was in my hotel room and not involved. I don’t have a problem with Donaire or anybody in his camp. I didn’t see them after the fight was over. I’m very mellow. I don’t drink or go out clubbing. I concentrate on my job. I talked to a few people in the hotel lobby and went to my room. That’s not my style; I don’t disrespect people. I was surprised by what Nonito said. I spoke to him that Wednesday and told him how much I respected him for what he’s done and that I thought he was good for boxing. He’s a great fighter. I respect him and his wife, his trainer, Robert Garcia, and his other coaches. I was totally shocked when I read the report with Donaire accusing me. .

 

“We’ll be on opposite sides when if he fights Rigondeaux. As great a fighter Nonito is, I think Rigondeaux is better, and that nobody can beat him at 122. If Nonito doesn’t fight Rigeondeaux, no problem, I can’t disrespect him for that, but he can’t go around saying he’s cleaned-up the division without taking Rigondeaux’ title. Hey, I respect every fighter. (Abner) Mares is great, so is (Wilfredo) Vasquez. If Nonito decides to move-up a division, I can respect that but, he has to defeat Rigondeaux to say he’s cleaned out the 122-pound division, and I believe he is not capable of beating Rigondeaux. The only way they can prove who is better is by fighting in the ring. I’m confident in my ability but, even if I wasn’t working for Rigondeaux, I’d still believe he’s the better fighter. And I’m not taking anything away from Donaire by saying that but I believe it and I know Donaire belives it otherwise he would be willing to face Rigondeaux.

 

“I don’t conduct myself that way (Donaire’s claim). At the last press conference, I had a direct conversation with Nonito, and I said I admire him and had nothing but respect for him. I’ve said nothing negative about him. He’s has accused me of doing something that I wasn’t even present for and I’m still not disrespecting him. Maybe somebody told him a story, he believed it and got angry. It just never happened.”

 

The animosity between Team Rigondeaux and Team Donaire has been building the past year, largely due to Donaire’s failure to fight Rigondeaux, something that is rumored to happen in mid-2013.

 

“Donaire wrongly accused DJ of being abusive to somebody in his entourage,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “I was at the Hyatt Hotel with D.J. and both of us retired to our respective rooms after the show at midnight. The next day, D.J. told me that Donaire had called him but he thought he was dreaming because he was woken from a deep sleep. D.J. definitely wasn’t involved in any altercation with Donaire or his people. Team Rigondeaux has respect for Donaire. We don’t condone this type of behavior, but we’re furious at Donaire for accusing D.J. of this type conduct.”

 

Arguably the greatest amateur boxer of all-time, Rigondeaux is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time Cuban national champion who also captured a pair of World Championship titles during his incredible 243-4 amateur career.

 

The multi-talented southpaw, now fighting out of Miami, is rated No. 1 by The Ring Magazine, and Donaire is its super bantamweight/junior lightweight champion.

SHARE
Previous articleFields: Yoan Pablo Hernandez is in Danger!
Next articleGabriel Campillo Looks to Get Back into the Win Column Against Sergey Kovalev Jan. 19
The team at Thaboxingvoice.com set out with a mission to create an online environment focused on boxing that voiced the opinions, concerns, and attitudes of you, the people. Doing our best to bring you the answers you want to know, and getting the exclusives that those other guys cant. We are always working hard to get the inside scoop inside and outside of the ring. If it’s happening in Boxing, we will tell you about it! You can find us at the fights all over the place with our nationwide team of correspondents, and wide reach around the globe we have the tools and the team to bring you coverage from all the fights. Whether it is in a gym in Jersey or on the floor at MGM Grand. No fight to big or small for Tha Boxing Voice. Our experienced team combined has over 50+ years of boxing experience to bring to the table. Some of us growing up ringside, some of us growing up in the ring, no matter the situation we are all true boxing fans first and reporters second. This can be found evident on our twice-weekly podcast. We work hard to bring you interviews that answer your questions and guest who will spark your interest from all areas of the boxing world. Writers, Trainers, Promoters and the most relevant fighters before and after some of their biggest fights. We are working 24/7 to get the information to you, the listeners. We work to form a personal relationship with our listeners and our guests making our show more intimate and giving a raw, uncut and real aspect that you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere. We are Tha Boxing Voice, The Voice of you, The People. Follow @boxingvoiceshow