By Mike Coppinger
Guillermo Rigondeaux remains on the outside looking in in the wake of his dominant performance over Nonito Donaire in April.
With the fall schedule quickly filling up, time is running out for Rigondeaux to garner a fall matchup on HBO. BoxingScene.com caught up with Rigondeaux's longtime manager Gary Hyde for an update on the situation.
BoxingScene.com: How much of an injustice do you find it to be?
Gary Hyde: I can't fathom how a fighter with the skill set, power and ring craft of Rigo is being victimized like this. The trouble with Rigo is he is just too good. In just his 12th professional fight he destroyed a pound-for-pound fighter and made him look ordinary. Rigondeaux exposed Donaire and is the only fighter to do this. The penalty for Rigo's destruction of a great is unspeakable.
BoxingScene: Has there been any movement at all?
Hyde: None
BoxingScene.com: What does HBO give you as the reason for Rigondeaux not getting a fight?
Hyde: I haven't heard anything from HBO on why they were not interested in showcasing Rigo apart from what our promoter said.
BoxingScene.com: Do you have a plan for getting Rigondeaux back on TV?
Hyde: There is only so much we can do with regards to getting Rigo back on TV. That is ultimately the responsibility of Rigo's main promoter Top Rank.
BoxingScene.com: Do you think Top Rank is doing their job as promoters? If not, will you try to secure Rigo's release?
Hyde: Rigo has two fights remaining under the Top Rank contract and they will pay substantial purses but what myself, Caribe, Rigo's co-promoters and more importantly Rigondeaux want is to add to Rigo's legacy by beating the top fighters in his division.
Mike Coppinger is a boxing contributor for USA TODAY Sports and a full voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeCoppinger or write to him at mike.coppinger@gmail.com
