GUILLERMO RIGONDEUX WINS WBA SUPER BANTAM BELT, CALLS OUT NONITO DONAIRE
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 21 Jan 2012
Las Vegas, NV. - Former two time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux added more gold in his collection by knocking out WBA Super Bantamweight Rico Ramos in the 6th round of their title fight at The Palms Casino Resort last night in Las Vegas.
Rigondeaux who represented Cuba in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic games, started his domination of the previously unbeaten Ramos in the opening round, applying early pressure on the former champ with right jabs followed by a left straights. One of those left straights connected on the former champ and floored him. Ramos recovered but was clearly overwhelmed after that knockdown. Ramos was on defensive mode in the succeeding rounds as Rigondeaux continued his pressure on him with the jabs as his lead.
Ramos became active in the fourth round but missed most of his shots, Rigondeaux took advantage of it by countering effectively on the puzzled former champ. The end came in the half of their 12 round title bout when Rigondeaux caught Ramos with a series of headshots that forced Ramos in the corner. A hard left to the body floored the California native for the second and last time as he went down wincing in pain from that body shot. Referee Joe Cortez counted the former champ out who was unable to get up from the floor this time.
Rigondeaux snatched Ramos' WBA Super bantamweight belt with the victory , his first title belt in only his ninth professional fight. When interviewed after the bout, the newly crowned champ made his intentions clear on whom he wanted to fight next. " We want Nonito Donaire. He said he is the best fighter in the world, that's who we want." Rigondeaux stated through an interpreter.
The fight with Donaire is definitely a big possibility if Donaire wins his February 4 Super Bantamweight bout with former champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. Both Donaire and Rigondeaux share the same promotional company in Bob Arum's Top Rank making it an easy fight to make. It will also be a unification of belts in the division if Donaire is successful in winning the vacant WBO strap.
Donaire responded to Rigondeaux's call via his Twitter and Facebook account with a statement that says "FYI I didn't watch Rigondeaux's fight, so don't ask me what I thought because I'm focusing on one man only, and that's Vasquez Jr.
For now, Rigondeaux will enjoy his victory and will definitely be an interested spectator two weeks from now when Donaire meets Vazquez Jr. in San Antonio.
Two-time Olympian Guillermo Rigondeaux (R) knocks out Rico Ramos(L) in the 6th round to win the WBA Super Bantamweight belt and remain undefeated at 9-0, Friday night at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. --- Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.
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