Rigondeaux wants Quigg after Lomachenko rejects

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Guillermo RigondeauxIt appears that talks between bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KO’s) and WBO World featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KO’s) have fallen through, at least for now.

Last week, it was reported that Gary Hyde, Rigondeaux’s manager, issued a statement that Rigondeaux was willing to fight Lomachenko at a catch-weight of 14 lbs. and with a rehydration clause.

After Lomachenko rejected the initial offer, Rigondeaux told World Boxing News through Hyde that he was willing to fight him at the featherweight limit of 126 lbs.

Fast forward to today, Hyde has confirmed that he in talks with Matchroom Sport promoter Eddie Hearn for a fight between his fighter and WBA World super-bantamweight champion Scott Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KO’s).

Quigg fought this past Saturday, stopping Spaniard Kiko Martinez inside two rounds, making it six consecutive title defenses of his WBA title.

Hyde, speaking for Rigondeaux via RingTv.com, says the Cuban wouldn’t mind traveling to Manchester to make it happen.

“We can confirm that talks have started between Eddie Hearn and me with regards to Scott Quigg fighting Guillermo Rigondeaux in Manchester before the year is out. Eddie told me this morning that Quigg is ready to step up and take on Rigondeaux.”

However, Hearn is saying that the fight is not likely to happen, with his fighter pursuing a fight against former five-division world champion Nonito Donaire.

A fight with Donaire is a safer option for the English fighter. Donaire was out-boxed and out-classed by Rigondeaux in April 2013 and was stopped by Jamaican Nicholas Walters last October.

Fighting twice thus far in 2015, Donaire has collected two second-round stoppage victories against the likes of William Prado and Anthony Settoul. However, both men aren’t even considered to be solid contenders.

Quigg fought Prado in June 2013 and knocked him out in the third round.

“I think Nonito Donaire v. Quigg is more likely than Quigg v. Rigo,” Hearn said.

I think Quigg-Donaire would be a good, competitive fight. If Donaire can use his hand speed to obstruct Quigg’s power early, it could be a great fight.

However, it’s unknown if Donaire has recovered from the Walters fight.

As we all know, the type of beating Donaire received that evening, can have huge mental and psychological effects on a fighter.