Two-time Olympic gold medal winner Guillermo Rigondeaux fought only one time in 2020, but he’s remaining patient and looking forward to bigger things in 2021.
One potential clash is a showdown with WBO bantamweight champion Johnriel Casimero, on a possible date between March and April.
If finalized, it would be the most important fight for Rigondeaux since his December 2017 encounter against Vasyl Lomachenko – and the outcome could define his future in boxing, now that he’s in the final chapters of his pro career.
Rigondeaux won a vacant title from the World Boxing Association in February, when he beat Venezuelan Liborio Solís by unanimous decision at 118 pounds. He picked up the belt after a long reign in the super bantamweight division, where he won two belts.
After the failure against Lomachenko, the 40-year-old veteran defeated Giovanni Delgado and Julio Cejas, but neither of these opponents compare to Casimero, who has been champion in three divisions.
For now, Rigondeaux is keeping his body in shape by training on a regular basis.
“I always keep training. You know very well that the gym is my second home and that I’m always doing something. I can’t help it, training is like the air I breathe. My body asks me for activity. I barely take a few days off in the year,” Rigondeaux told George Ebro.
“[Casimero is] the one I want. It’s the perfect one for my desire to unify titles. I have the World Boxing Association and he owns the World Boxing Organization. So I have to go over him to take his title and keep adding wins over champions.
“He’s a veteran and I respect him as a champion, but I have [respect] for everyone and I know how to adapt to the opponent, whoever it is, when the bell rings. I’ve fought in several divisions and I’ve been in this sport for a long time.”
“[Being away from the ring] …not only has it been difficult for me, but for all the athletes, because the pandemic has stopped everything and things got complicated. Some have fought once, others have not been able to fight at all. But the important thing is not to stop and keep looking forward and stay in the gym. I’m sure better things are coming.”
