Guillermo Rigondeaux facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Guillermo Rigondeaux
Rigondeaux in 2012
Statistics
Real name	Guillermo Rigondeaux Ortiz
Nickname(s)	El Chacal (The Jackal) Rigo
Rated at	Bantamweight Super bantamweight Super featherweight
Height	5 ft 4 in
Reach	67+1/2 in
Born	(1980-09-30) 30 September 1980 (age 44) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	27
Wins	23
Wins by KO	16
Losses	3
No contests	1
Medal record Men's amateur boxing Representing  Cuba Olympic Games Gold 2000 Sydney Bantamweight Gold 2004 Athens Bantamweight World Championships Gold 2001 Belfast Bantamweight Gold 2005 Mianyang Bantamweight World Cup Gold 2002 Astana Bantamweight Gold 2005 Moscow Bantamweight Gold 2006 Baku Bantamweight Pan American Games Gold 2003 Santo Domingo Bantamweight Central American and Caribbean Games Gold 2006 Cartagena Bantamweight Goodwill Games Gold 2001 Brisbane Bantamweight Representing Santiago de Cuba Cuban National Championships Gold 2000 Guantanamo Bantamweight Gold 2001 Santiago de Cuba Bantamweight Gold 2002 Las Tunas Bantamweight Gold 2003 Holguin Bantamweight Gold 2004 Camagüey Bantamweight Gold 2005 Pinar del Rio Bantamweight Gold 2006 Bayamo Bantamweight

Guillermo Rigondeaux Ortiz (born September 30, 1980) is a famous professional boxer from Cuba. He is known for his amazing speed, powerful punches, and clever defensive moves. Many people think he is one of the best defensive boxers ever.

Rigondeaux held important boxing titles, including the unified WBA (Super), WBO, and Ring magazine super bantamweight titles from 2013 to 2017. He also held the WBA (Regular) bantamweight title from 2020 to 2021.

Before becoming a professional, Rigondeaux had a fantastic amateur career. He won two gold medals in the bantamweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics. He also won the Cuban national championship seven times. He had an incredible amateur record with about 475 fights and only 12 losses.

Rigondeaux's Amateur Boxing Career

Guillermo Rigondeaux had a very successful amateur boxing career. He won many gold medals in major competitions around the world.

Olympic Gold Medals

Rigondeaux won gold medals at two Olympic Games.

2000 Sydney Olympics

• He won his fights against boxers from Tunisia, Japan, Azerbaijan, and the United States.
• In the final, he defeated Raimkul Malakhbekov from Russia to win the gold medal.

2004 Athens Olympics

• He continued his winning streak, beating opponents from China, Pakistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan.
• He won his second Olympic gold medal by defeating Worapoj Petchkoom from Thailand in the final match.

Other Major Amateur Wins

Rigondeaux also won many other important amateur titles:

• He was the Cuban national amateur champion seven times in a row (2000-2006).
• He won the World Amateur Championship twice (2001 and 2005).
• He was a three-time World Cup champion (2002, 2005, 2006).
• He won gold at the Pan American Games in 2003.
• He also won gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2006.

Rigondeaux ended his amateur career with an impressive record of 463 wins and only 12 losses.

Moving to Professional Boxing

In 2007, Rigondeaux decided to leave Cuba to start a professional boxing career. He wanted to join other Cuban Olympic boxers who had already become professionals. After some challenges, he moved to Miami in 2009 and signed a deal to begin his professional journey.

He left behind his wife and two sons in Cuba. He trained hard to prepare for his new career as a professional boxer.

Early Professional Fights

Rigondeaux training in 2011

Rigondeaux had his first professional fight on May 22, 2009, and won by knockout in the third round. He quickly showed his power and skill. He won his second fight by knockout in the first round.

On September 18, 2009, he won the NABA super bantamweight title by knockout in the third round. He continued to win his fights, often by knockout, showing his strong punching ability.

In July 2010, Rigondeaux signed a contract with Top Rank, a big boxing promotion company. This was a major step in his career.

On November 13, 2010, Rigondeaux fought Ricardo Cordoba in a big event. He won the fight by a split decision, becoming an interim world champion in only his seventh professional fight.

On March 19, 2011, he successfully defended his interim title against Willie Casey in Ireland. He won by technical knockout in the first round.

Becoming a World Champion

Rigondeaux knocking down Ramos

On January 20, 2012, Rigondeaux became the full WBA super bantamweight champion. He knocked out the champion, Rico Ramos, in the sixth round. Rigondeaux controlled the fight from the start, showing his dominance.

Defending His Titles

Rigondeaux defended his WBA title several times.

• On June 9, 2012, he stopped Teon Kennedy in the fifth round. Kennedy said Rigondeaux hit him with punches he couldn't even see.
• On September 15, 2012, he easily defeated Roberto Marroquin by unanimous decision, knocking him down twice.

Rigondeaux vs. Donaire: A Big Fight

On April 13, 2013, Rigondeaux had a huge fight against Nonito Donaire. Donaire was considered one of the best boxers in the world at the time. Rigondeaux won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the unified WBA (Super), WBO, and The Ring super bantamweight champion. This was a major achievement in his career.

More Title Defenses

• On December 7, 2013, Rigondeaux defended his titles against Joseph Agbeko, winning every round.
• On July 19, 2014, he fought Sod Kokietgym in Macau. Rigondeaux won by knockout in the first round. This was his last fight with Top Rank.
• On December 31, 2014, he defended his titles against Hisashi Amagasa in Japan. Rigondeaux won after Amagasa could not continue the fight in the 11th round due to injuries.
• On November 21, 2015, Rigondeaux returned to fight in the United States against Drian Francisco. He won by unanimous decision, claiming the vacant WBC International Silver super bantamweight title.

Challenges and Reinstatement

Rigondeaux was supposed to fight James Dickens in the UK in March 2016, but the fight was canceled due to visa problems. On May 14, 2016, Rigondeaux was given back his WBA (Super) super bantamweight champion title.

Rigondeaux vs. Dickens Rematch

The fight with Jazza Dickens was rescheduled for July 16, 2016, in Wales. Rigondeaux won the fight and kept his titles after breaking Dickens' jaw in the second round.

Rigondeaux vs. Flores

On June 17, 2017, Rigondeaux fought Moises Flores. Rigondeaux won by knockout in the first round, but the punch was thrown right after the bell. The result was later changed to a "no contest" because of this. The WBA ordered a rematch, but it did not happen.

Moving Up in Weight: Super Featherweight

Rigondeaux vs. Lomachenko

On December 9, 2017, Rigondeaux moved up in weight to fight Vasiliy Lomachenko for the WBO junior lightweight title. Lomachenko was a bigger fighter. Rigondeaux stopped fighting after the sixth round, saying he had injured his hand. This was his first professional loss.

Taking a Break and Returning

After the Lomachenko fight, Rigondeaux took some time off. In August 2018, he ended his contract with Roc Nation Sports. He then started training with Ronnie Shields, a well-known boxing trainer.

On January 13, 2019, Rigondeaux returned to the ring against Giovanni Delgado. He won by knockout in the first round.

Back to Super Bantamweight

Rigondeaux vs. Ceja

On June 23, 2019, Rigondeaux fought Julio Ceja in a WBC eliminator fight. Rigondeaux won by technical knockout in the eighth round after knocking Ceja down with a left hook.

Moving to Bantamweight

Rigondeaux vs. Solís

On February 8, 2020, Rigondeaux fought Liborio Solís for the vacant WBA (Regular) bantamweight title. Rigondeaux won the fight by a split decision, becoming a world champion in another weight class.

Rigondeaux vs. Casimero

On August 14, 2021, Rigondeaux challenged John Riel Casimero for the WBO bantamweight title. It was a very close fight, and Casimero won by split decision. This fight set a record for the fewest punches landed in a 12-round fight.

Rigondeaux vs. Astrolabio

On February 26, 2022, Rigondeaux faced Vincent Astrolabio. Rigondeaux was knocked down in the eighth round and lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Rigondeaux vs. Martinez

After suffering serious eye injuries in an accident at home in March 2022, Rigondeaux returned to boxing on February 24, 2023. He won his fight against Jesus Martinez by knockout in the first round.

Second Return to Super Bantamweight

Rigondeaux vs. Clemente-Andino

On June 9, 2023, Rigondeaux fought Charlie Clemente-Andino and won by knockout in the seventh round.

Rigondeaux vs. Aguero Arias

On November 12, 2024, Rigondeaux fought Dannis Aguero Arias for the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title. He won the belt by knockout in the first round with a body punch.

Rigondeaux's Boxing Style

Rigondeaux is famous for his "hit, but don't get hit" style. He fights as a southpaw (left-handed stance). He is excellent at defense, using moves like slipping punches and shoulder rolls to avoid getting hit. This allows him to set up his own powerful counterpunches. His fast hands, strong punches, quick reflexes, and great footwork are all well-known parts of his style.

In Other Media

A documentary about Rigondeaux called Split Decision has been made. Also, a book about his life, A Cuban Boxer's Journey: From Castro's Traitor to American Champion, was published in 2014.

Personal Life

In March 2022, Rigondeaux had an accident at his home in Miami and suffered serious eye injuries.

Professional Boxing Record

See also

In Spanish: Guillermo Rigondeaux para niños