Guillermo Rigondeaux is determined to shake off the ghost of retirement and with a switch to more aggressive boxing style and a first-round knockout, he sent a clear message to the rest of the 118-pound division.
On Friday night at Hialeah Park Racing & Casino, Florida, the former champion returned after a year-long absence and showed the hunger of a rookie by knocking out Jesus Martinez in less than two minutes. Rigondeaux made it clear that not even two straight losses or the cooking accident he suffered - where he sustained severe corneal burns - can stop him.
The 42-year-old Cuban - who lost the WBO bantamweight world title in 2021 - assured that the stumbles are in the past and he is ready to come back strong and give something to talk about. He wants to challenge for a world title again, especially now that Naoya Inoue vacated the four bantamweight titles, to try his luck at 122 pounds.
"I want to tell you that the legend is back," Rigondeaux said after his first win in two years.
Rigondeaux, a Cuban amateur boxing champion, dominated the bantamweight and super bantamweight divisions in the professional ranks. And now on the horizon the best boxers currently in the division are Nonito Donaire, Jason Moloney, Emanuel Rodriguez, Sho Ishida and Reymmart Gaballo