Nearly 15 years after making his pro debut, Guillermo Rigondeaux still feels that he has more to prove in the ring. The former two-time world champion will reportedly fight Jesus Martinez of Colombia on February 24, 2023 at Hialeah Park Racing & Casino in Florida.
Rigondeaux’s last bout was held at the Dubai Marina on February 26, 2022. Vincent Astrolabio defeated the former two-time champion by unanimous decision. Less than two weeks later, Rigondeaux was cooking when a pressure cooker exploded in his home. The Cuban fighter reportedly suffered severe facial injuries and lost a significant portion of his vision.
“He’s only done it a million times,” Rigondeaux’s manager, Alex Boronte, told ESPN.
“They make bombs out of [pressure cookers]. If one of those beans clogs up where the steam is going to go out, it’s like a bomb. It could have killed him.”
Rigondeaux was released from Kendall Regional Medical Center in Florida days later. At the time, it appeared unlikely that Rigondeaux would box professionally again. Eleven months later, he is prepared to overcome the odds and re-enter the ring.
Rigondeaux enters next month’s bout with a record of 20-3. In his last six pro bouts, the former champion has struggled at times, accumulating three losses to go along with three wins. Most recently, he has suffered back-to-back losses at the hands of Astrolabio and John Riel Casimero.
