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With quite the amateur pedigree, Guillermo Rigondeaux was a two-time world amateur champion with an official amateur record of 243-4 and held the Cuban national bantamweight championship from 2000 though 2006. Not to mention, he's a two-time gold medalist. With only two pro fights under his belt, he decided to move from Florida to California to seeking out the assistance of world-class trainer Freddie Roach to help him pursue a world title. "I would fight Marquez or Israel Vazquez tomorrow with him and we would win," Roach stated and you don't want to miss what else he had to say about this rising super bantamweight prospect.
RC: We're here with Freddie Roach and we just got done watching Guillmero Rigondeaux train. Can you give a quick rundown on your new prospect?
FR: You know, he's a very smart fighter. He sets things up very well. He may be a little too patient at times, letting rounds go bye, but he's always thinking in there. He's one of those guys in the gym who doesn't give me 100%. He goes about 30%. Once his opponents feel his power, they stop coming forward. What I like is that it's there and he can open up at any time he wants. He's very defensive and sees things very well. I think in a fight, he's going to be a whole different animal cause in a fight, he doesn't hold back at all. These guys we were working with are good young fighters, but don't have a lot of experience so he does have that advantage on people.
RC: Because there is no pro boxing program in Cuba and I know he has tons and tons of experience, do you worry that he carries the amateur style into the pro ranks?
FR: Well, you know, he doesn't have that passive defense. He moves his head well. He slips punches. His counterpunching is very good. I don't see a problem with him and the passive defense and the amateur style of protecting the lead. He fights more like a pro. I truly feel he could've knocked both guys out easily whenever he wanted to. Again, he's very selective; he's a veteran. He doesn't kill himself in the gym. He doesn't wear himself out, but he just gets his time in. I can see him setting things up He's thinking all the time.
RC: So he's been with you now for 3 weeks. Are you now the official head trainer of Guillmero?
FR: Yes. We signed a contract. We have a deal and he's Wild Card's next champion.
RC: So at 122 pounds, which is the weight class he's fighting at now, that division is very deep up to 126 pounds. How do you think he does against the top guys of those divisions?
FR: I would fight Marquez or Israel Vazquez tomorrow with him and we would win.
RC: With two pro fights?
FR: Yes. His next fight is a ten-rounder. He's fighting a guy who's 24-3. I have no problem with that. He's got 475 amateur fights. He's very skilled. His conditioning is unbelievable; his calmness and he never gets tired. No problem.
RC. Well you heard it here first. Freddie Roach is claiming his next world champion.
RC: We're here with Freddie Roach and we just got done watching Guillmero Rigondeaux train. Can you give a quick rundown on your new prospect?
FR: You know, he's a very smart fighter. He sets things up very well. He may be a little too patient at times, letting rounds go bye, but he's always thinking in there. He's one of those guys in the gym who doesn't give me 100%. He goes about 30%. Once his opponents feel his power, they stop coming forward. What I like is that it's there and he can open up at any time he wants. He's very defensive and sees things very well. I think in a fight, he's going to be a whole different animal cause in a fight, he doesn't hold back at all. These guys we were working with are good young fighters, but don't have a lot of experience so he does have that advantage on people.
RC: Because there is no pro boxing program in Cuba and I know he has tons and tons of experience, do you worry that he carries the amateur style into the pro ranks?
FR: Well, you know, he doesn't have that passive defense. He moves his head well. He slips punches. His counterpunching is very good. I don't see a problem with him and the passive defense and the amateur style of protecting the lead. He fights more like a pro. I truly feel he could've knocked both guys out easily whenever he wanted to. Again, he's very selective; he's a veteran. He doesn't kill himself in the gym. He doesn't wear himself out, but he just gets his time in. I can see him setting things up He's thinking all the time.
RC: So he's been with you now for 3 weeks. Are you now the official head trainer of Guillmero?
FR: Yes. We signed a contract. We have a deal and he's Wild Card's next champion.
RC: So at 122 pounds, which is the weight class he's fighting at now, that division is very deep up to 126 pounds. How do you think he does against the top guys of those divisions?
FR: I would fight Marquez or Israel Vazquez tomorrow with him and we would win.
RC: With two pro fights?
FR: Yes. His next fight is a ten-rounder. He's fighting a guy who's 24-3. I have no problem with that. He's got 475 amateur fights. He's very skilled. His conditioning is unbelievable; his calmness and he never gets tired. No problem.
RC. Well you heard it here first. Freddie Roach is claiming his next world champion.
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