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As of February 2023, the boxing world is eagerly awaiting news on the next opponent for two-time Olympic gold medalist and former unified super bantamweight world champion, Guillermo Rigondeaux. While there has been no official announcement yet, speculation is rife as to who his next opponent will be.
FRIDAY,24 FEBRUARY 2023
Guillermo Rigondeaux, also known as “El Chacal,” is a Cuban professional boxer who has held world titles in two weight classes. He won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics before turning pro in 2009. Rigondeaux has an impressive record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 13 knockouts.
In recent years, Rigondeaux has faced tough competition in the super bantamweight division, including fights against Nonito Donaire and Vasyl Lomachenko. Despite being regarded as one of the most skilled boxers in the sport, Rigondeaux’s lack of activity in the ring has caused some to question his readiness for top-level competition.
Given Rigondeaux’s skill and experience, his next opponent will need to be someone who can challenge him and bring out the best in him. While there are several potential opponents, here are three of the most likely candidates.
Brandon Figueroa
Brandon Figueroa is an undefeated American boxer who currently holds the WBC super bantamweight title. With a record of 23 wins, 1 draw, and 17 knockouts, Figueroa has established himself as one of the best in his weight class. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision win over Stephen Fulton Jr. in September 2022.
A fight between Rigondeaux and Figueroa would be a clash of styles, with Rigondeaux’s technical skill and counterpunching ability up against Figueroa’s aggressive style and power punching. It would be interesting to see how Rigondeaux would handle Figueroa’s pressure and whether Figueroa would be able to land clean shots on Rigondeaux.
Rey Vargas
Rey Vargas is a Mexican boxer who previously held the WBC super bantamweight title. With a record of 34 wins, 4 losses, and 22 knockouts, Vargas is an experienced fighter who has faced tough competition in his career. His most recent fight was a unanimous decision loss to Luis Nery in May 2021.
A fight between Rigondeaux and Vargas would be a battle between two skilled boxers who are adept at controlling the pace of a fight. Vargas is known for his height and reach advantage, while Rigondeaux’s footwork and counterpunching could pose problems for Vargas. It would be an intriguing matchup that could go either way.
Emmanuel Navarrete
Emmanuel Navarrete is a Mexican boxer who currently holds the WBO featherweight title. With a record of 36 wins, 2 losses, and 31 knockouts, Navarrete is a hard-hitting fighter who has shown that he can dominate opponents. His most recent victory was a TKO win over Christopher Diaz in October 2022.
A fight between Rigondeaux and Navarrete would be a battle between two fighters who are moving up in weight. Navarrete’s power and aggressive style could pose problems for Rigondeaux, who would need to use his technical skill and footwork to avoid Navarrete’s punches. It would be interesting to see whether Rigondeaux’s counterpunching ability would be enough to keep Navarrete at bay.
