Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Jazza Dickens Is Set For The UK
London, UK (February 4th, 2016)–The 35-year-old returned to the ring last November following more than a year on the sidelines but has struggled for mainstream popularity due to his defensive style.
His victory over Nonito Donaire in 2013 appeared to set him on the road to stardom but instead he was abandoned by the major television broadcasters in America.
Rigondeuax then showed a vulnerability when he was dropped twice by the unheralded Hisashi Amagasa in Japan only to keep his unbeaten record intact.
Despite his age, he has had only 16 fights since defecting from Cuba and turning professional in 2009 following a glittering amateur career in which he won two Olympic titles.
Rigondeaux said: ‘I really look forward fighting this young up and comer in Dickens. I hear he’s very good, but I’m going to have to disappoint his hometown fans and teach him a lesson in boxing. I hope the British audience appreciates my skills when I’m done with James.’
Should Rigondeaux win, he will then face Frampton or Quigg, who meet on February 27, unless the winner opts to relinquish the WBA title and keep the IBF version.
He returned to the ring against Drian Francisco last November following more than a year on the sidelines
Should Rigondeaux win he will face Carl Frampton or Scott Quigg after their unification fight on February 27. And he added: ‘I’m looking forward to making my British debut at a time where there is great boxing in Europe, especially in my division. I’m excited to come out and give my best and deliver a world-class performance to the fans. Frampton and Quigg are both cowards for finding ways to avoid the best in their division.
‘We wait in anticipation to see if the winner of a great fight between them would step up and step in the ring with me, so the whole world can see who the best 122 pound fighter is. Fans should come see the real super world champion in Liverpool, as I¹ll be ready to put on a show and be in a position to happily knock out the winner, if either would even fathom the idea of stepping in the same ring with me.’
Dickens, meanwhile, has fought six times more than his illustrious opponent despite being 24, and suffered his sole defeat against Kid Galahad before being crowned British champion last year.
‘It is like a Rocky story, one day I’m just training waiting for my next fight and then I get call, do I want to fight Guillermo Rigondeaux? Are you mad, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world wants to fight me? Not half, I’ll definitely have some of that!’ he said.
‘Opportunities like this don’t come around every day so I’ve grabbed it with both hands. It’s been my childhood dream to be the best in the world and this to me is a golden opportunity to become the best by beating Rigondeaux.
‘He might not have the belts, but he’s still the world champion in my eyes. Frampton and Quigg both didn’t want to know him, but what they see as a threat, I see as an opportunity. We’ve all got weaknesses and Rigondeaux will have his, it’s my job to go out an exploit them and beat him.’
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