By Ben Jacobs

Guillermo Rigondeaux and his team arrived in Miami just before 15:00 hours local time this afternoon (Tuesday) after failing to obtain a visa to travel from Russia for Saturday’s fight against James ‘Jazza’ Dickens at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Prior to boarding the plane, BoxingScene.com was able to speak to Rigondeaux and his trainer Pedro Díaz who detailed the situation as things stand.

“I saw some reports that they denied Rigondeaux a visa, that is not the case - quite simply the form was filled out incorrectly.  Nobody was denied a visa.  Neither the boxer nor the trainer is involved in sorting the visa out.  I don’t know who is responsible here.  Everybody knew we were coming to Europe for a training camp, they knew this four weeks ago.  I couldn’t leave Rigondeaux in America knowing I had Ruslan Chagaev and Tyrone Spong fighting the week before him in Russia," Diaz said.

“I don’t want to upset anyone or blame anyone but what is true is that the trainer and boxer should not be in charge of a visa.

“We went to the UK embassy in Moscow on Monday and due to the visa form being filled out incorrectly we could not obtain one,” Díaz continued.

“It’s different filling out a form wrong to being denied one.  But we gave sufficient notice to everyone that we would be training in Europe for this fight.”

Aside from feeling aggrieved at internet rumours that Rigondeaux was refused entry to the UK, Díaz also expressed his sadness to the fans in Liverpool not being able to see Rigondeaux perform, as well as his apologies to the promoters.

“We want to ask for forgiveness to all the fans there who wanted to see Rigondeaux in this big fight.  We also want to say sorry to Frank Warren and RocNation.

“The UK embassy in Moscow were superb with us.  They explained to us clearly and exactly what had happened with the application.  They apologised and were very sincere about it but they couldn’t do anything for us.  They treated ‘Rigo’ as he deserves, as a great champion.

“It’s a shame as the training camp was superb in Russia, the sparring went really well.”

Rigondeaux reiterated the words of his trainer, clearly disappointed at being unable to compete against Dickens.

“We can’t do anymore, we were 100% prepared for this fight.  We were waiting for the visa, it’s not our fault.  I don’t know who is at fault but I’m still ready to fight anyone," Rigondeaux said.

“Again, it’s not down to the fighter or the trainer,” the Cuban emphasised.  “I really want to fight over there as well as I know the fans were wanting to see me.”

Frank Warren confirmed earlier in a press release that they are still working with RocNation on obtaining a visa for Rigondeaux.