Shouldn?t Rigo be heading back to Havana?
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Dec 2017
WHERE does Guillermo Rigondeaux, two-time Olympic gold medal winner and Fidel Castro?s favorite fighter, go from here?
It was only the first defeat for the 39-year-old Cuban boxing icon who has won the gold in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
But his sudden surrender in the middle of his championship battle against world junior lightweight titlist Vasyl Lomachengko of Ukraine in New York on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) earned him the dirty tag of quitter. He has been dumped into a sea of shame.
**
Can he still crawl back to save face and regain respect and love of his countrymen?
"It?s truly pitiful and pathetic," said the respected boxing scholar Paul Magno, who claimed Rigondeaux has been exploited and manipulated.
?There was no way Bob Arum would?ve signed off on this one if he felt there was even the slightest sense that Rigondeaux would beat his prized Lomachengko,? cried Magno. ?It was as much of a fix done behind closed doors involving shady characters making shady decisions.?
Of course, it was also Rigondeaux's fault how he had all too willingly been ?duped into a dirty spot with politics and business.?
**
There may never be an honest explanation on what caused the pullout, a betrayal that brought shame to Cuba.
If it?s any consolation, Lomachengko praised Rigondeaux as a great champion who would?ve been unbeatable in his natural weight.
It?s odd, but didn?t Lomachengco, in this tragic case, also allow himself to be a tool of boxing con artists?
**
It was complete out of character how a Cuban warrior, weaned in the dire training system down in a dungeon off a lightless alley in Havana, would produce a cowardly result, with the whole world watching.
Any other Cuban fighter would?ve stayed until the end, sustaining the legacy of his revolutionary elders who had stuck to their revolutionary ideals through assorted adversity.
Rigondeaux could be accused of causing dishonor to his country. But going by the cruelty he had to go through away from his homeland, Havana still safest battleground to come home to.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
Tue, 16 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
By Eric Armit, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 16 Dec 2025Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025