By Elisinio Castillo

Former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-1, 11 KOs) has been away from the ring since December 2017, when he suffered the first defeat of his career at the hands of Vasyl Lomachenko.

Rigondeaux jumped up by two weight divisions to challenge Lomachenko at 130-pounds.

The size difference was way too much, as Rigondeaux claimed to have suffered a hand injury along the way and called it a day after six.

There were many experts who questioned the legit nature of Rigondeaux's hand injury and felt that he could have continued against Lomachenko.

After several months of keeping a low profile, Rigondeaux has returned to training and he now wants to rebuild his reputation the in sport.

"I was resting and there was nothing else, but we came back again, we are in the gym and ready to start a new chapter in our career. I have not lost my passion for boxing," Rigondeaux told George Ebro.

"My physical and mental energies have always been there. Nothing happened. I'm not one of those boxers who loses a fight and dies. Many greats have lost and I do not think that my defeat is something that determines my career. 

"[Facing Loma at 130] was not a mistake. Things just did not go as expected. Maybe it was not what I expected. It was a lot of weight, I am very small for that division. From 118 to 130 and then the next day the difference was greater, 160 against 124. It was too much for me, but it happened and nothing happened. Everyone wants to win and this is true, but  some win and others lose."

"Good things are coming.... one Hundred percent. I do not want to advance anything but a lot of good things are coming. I've always been back, I've never been removed [fro the sport]. People ask me on the streets where I went, but I'm still here."