Rigondeaux Dismisses Rumors of Reunion With Freddie Roach

By Jake Donovan

Despite not remaining very active, Guillermo Rigondeaux has managed to regularly remain in the headlines over the past couple of years. The unbeaten World super bantamweight champion returned to the ring last November, outpointing Drian Francisco over 10 rounds in a bout devoid of action in capping a forgettable 2015 campaign.

Moving forward, he will next face James “Jazza” Dickens on March 12 in his challenger’s hometown of Liverpool, England. The bout comes on the undercard of a BoxNation-televised event in the United Kingdom, topped by Terry Flanagan in a lightweight title defense versus another Liverpudlian challenger in Derry Mathews.

Less concerned with his level of opposition or where he’s placed in the final lineup, Rigondeaux is more anxious to return to the ring with Pedro Diaz, the former Cuban national team trainer. The two have worked together in the pro ranks, though enduring an amicable split following Rigondeaux’ 1st round knockout over Sod Kokietgym in July ’14.

Just two fights have followed for the Cuban southpaw, with wins over Hisashi Amagasa and Drian Francisco coming under the tutelage of Jorge Rubio. For his upcoming fight with Dickens (21-1, 6KOs) and moving forward, it’s a return to the trainer whose methods he feels are best suited for his style.

“I’ve always been most comfortable working with Pedro Diaz,” Rigondeaux noted during a recent media conference call. “He’s a great trainer; we’ve worked together before and I know that with him back in my corner, I will win convincingly.”

The union also forever put to rest tall tales told by Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach to West Coast media members that he was approached to train both Rigondeaux and fellow unbeaten Cuban southpaw, heavyweight Luis Ortiz. The rumors were immediately dismissed by both boxers, more so with Ortiz, who took such a suggestion as an insult given his working relationship with longtime trainer Herman Caicedo.

Rigondeaux at least has a history with Roach. For the moment, however, there is not a future.

“I don’t know where those rumors came from, but I am training with Pedro Diaz,” Rigondeaux confirmed. “I’ve worked with Freddie Roach in the past and enjoyed it. But I am with Pedro Diaz and he is my trainer moving forward.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox