Rigondeaux knockout in China Sparks Controversy; Undercard included Olympic Gold medalist Zou Shiming
By Syl Peterkin, RCM NY Correspondent
Macau, China (July 20, 2014)–Guillermo Rigondeaux scored a 1st round knockout against Sod Kokietgym at the Venetian Macao in Macau, China. This knockout is apparently Rigondeaux’s last fight under the Top Rank banner. Controversy arrived with the knockout came after an apparent head-butt. Kokietgym, a 37 year old fighter out of Thailand was able to get up after the initial head-butt and was motioned to touch gloves to continue the fight. Kokietgym did so albeit with his left hand down to which Rigondeaux responded with a right hook. This fight was reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather’s 4th round knockout of Victor Ortiz, Rigondeaux loyal following may suffer from this fight. Rigondeaux has been criticized for his pure defensive boxing style with the lack of knockouts. Even with his one sided fights against Joseph Agbeko and Nonito Donaire, his fan base has stayed small. Official time of the fight was 1:44 of the first round. Rigondeaux moves up to 14-0 with 9ko’s while Kokietgym is now 63-3-1 with 28ko’s.
Undercard results
Olympic Gold medalist Zou Shiming (flyweight) UD over Luis de la Rosa
Gilberto Ramirez (Super middleweight) stopped Australia’s Junior Talipeau via TKO in the first round (3 knockdowns).
Brian Viloria (34-4-1) stopped Jose Alfredo Zuniga 34-4-1 (20KOs via TKO at 1:42 of the 5th round.
See the Rigondeaux-Kokietgym head-butt and knockout here
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