By Steve Kim
Coming into last weekend there was some talk of rekindling a match-up between WBO featherweight titlist Vasyl Lomachenko and former 122-pound belt-holder Guillermo Rigondeaux. This pairing would be one between two of the most highly decorated amateur boxers who have found professional success.
But Rigondeaux, who just recently made his Roc Nation Sports debut this past weekend against Drian Francisco on the Miguel Cotto-Saul Alvarez pay-per-view undercard, was less-than-scintillating in winning a clear cut ten round decision. The boo-birds and catcalls could be heard early on at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas as he performed.
So is there any remaining interest in consummating a Lomachenko-Rigondeaux fight from Top Rank's perspective?
Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com on Monday morning - "Well, first of all it's wackadoo time. I mean when I was trying to make that fight I had a budget of $1.5 million for both fighters. This idiot Rigondeaux thought it was all for him and it wasn't enough. I mean he's crazy, nuts."
It wasn't too long ago that Arum promoted Rigondeaux. According to the veteran promoter - like other Cuban boxers who are frustrated by the business of professional boxing - they have a certain cultural mindset that works against them.
"The problem is when you're from a communist country y'know he says 'Well, all the money should be based on merit' - merit as a fighter, not entertainment value, not how much you're going to bring in. But it should be merit - that's a communist kinda thing."
In other words, as pros they fight for more than just gold medals and trophys. Professional boxing is a capitalistic enterprise.
"That's exactly right," said Arum, who added - "He thought his performance on Saturday night was brilliant because he didn't get hit. The poor guy he fought, if he would've exchanged might have made it a little more interesting but y'know with one guy throwing four punches, lands two punches, the other guy tries to throw only two punches. What kinda sh*t is that?"
So there's no chance of Lomachenko - who is in need of a solid dance partner - facing Rigondeaux?
"No," said Arum, who cracked - "Todd (duBoef, president of Top Rank) says as soon as Roc Nation calls we hang up the phone."
Arum then joked ( we think he was joking) - "Roc Nation is going to do a pay-per-view show next year. They'll do a triple-header with Cotto, Andre Ward and Rigondeaux and it really will be pay-per-view because they're going to pay people to watch."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com
