Guillermo Rigondeaux Suffers a Bad Break; Terry Flanagan Fails to Fire in Wales
Guillermo Rigondeaux fought in another damp squib, even if it wasn't his fault this time, while fellow world champion Terry Flanagan flattered to deceive in Wales on Saturday.
The card in Cardiff never really quite caught fire, although that is not to say there were not some intriguing moments during the action.
The best fight of the night happened to be the last—Liam Williams successfully defended his British and Commonwealth super welterweight titles with a hard-fought TKO win over fierce rival Gary Corcoran.
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Here, Bleacher Report picks out some of the key talking points from the bill, starting with a welcome return to the ring for one of the very best in the business:
The Jackal Makes His Case
Rigondeaux's search for a willing opponent carried him across the Atlantic Ocean to Britain.
The Cuban-born super bantamweight—restored as the WBA's super champion following Carl Frampton's decision to move up—would have hoped to put on a show in his first outing in 2016.
Instead, his clash with James Dickens was over before it had barely begun.
Neither man threw too many shots in anger, but a rapid left hand from Rigondeaux ended up breaking poor Jazza's jaw in Round 2.
After carrying on until the end of the round, Dickens was withdrawn by his corner during the break. He later told Micheal McKenna of the Liverpool Echo:
"I felt the crack when he landed. I felt it hanging off but I thought that I could carry on. I thought if it was meant to be I could get him but I knew that if he connected again, it was just going to come right off.
We all made the call at the end of the (second) round. It was sensible really. Paul and Mick (Stevenson) said they had to pull me out, that I couldn't go back out like that. I wanted to think I could get him but realistically it wasn't worth it.
"
It was a disappointing end for all concerned.
Spare a thought for poor Dickens, a fighter who thought his chance to face Rigondeaux had disappeared when the two-time Olympic champion pulled out of a scheduled fight in March due to visa issues.
When a rearranged date was sorted, the Englishman had the added bonus of fighting for a world title.
However, he barely landed a punch in the Welsh capital before his race was run.
As for Rigondeaux, it was an anti-climatic comeback. After falling out of favour with American television networks, the 35-year-old didn't get the chance to impress a British audience.
Still, it was a peach of a shot that produced the early finish:
What Next?
According to promoter Frank Warren (h/t Box Nation), Rigondeaux could yet return to fight in Britain later in the year:
The question is, who will actually fight him?
Dickens deserves respect for stepping up to the plate, something others in the division haven't been so keen to do in the past.
Poor Rigondeaux has been avoided like the plague. Why? Because he's a highly skilled defensive specialist who counters with speed and precision. If you're not going to get paid danger money, you don't bother.
While his 17th pro fight finished after six minutes, he kept on throwing shots afterward on Twitter:
Considering Frampton is in New York preparing to fight Leo Santa Cruz on July 30, and Quigg is still recovering from a broken jaw, Rigondeaux won't get his wish to get in some rounds of overtime on Sunday.
When you consider he has already beaten Nonito Donaire at 122 pounds, Quigg seems a strong option from the best of the rest in the division.
However, journalist Mike Coppinger cheekily threw out the possibility of a bout against Roman Gonzalez, the Nicaraguan nicknamed "Chocalito" who has already won world titles at three different weights.
Perhaps Rigondeaux could go the other way and move up. Whatever he opts to do, The Jackal needs to be much, much busier in the future. He has now fought just twice since the end of 2014.
No British fight fan should complain if he does choose to make another trip over from his Miami base in September, as Warren hinted.
Turbo Far From Top Gear
Terry Flanagan retained his WBO lightweight title with a comprehensive points victory over Mzonke Fana.
He should have been happy at extending his perfect record to 31-0, but nobody told his face. Turbo Terry, you see, knew he'd failed to fire. It was a performance that will not live long in the memory.
There were two mitigating factors to offer in Flanagan's defence.
First, the fight had to be pushed back from July 9 due to the cancellation of the card in his home city of Manchester, England, once heavyweight Tyson Fury hurt his ankle and was unable to face Wladimir Klitschko.
Second, Fana was an awkward customer. Extremely awkward.
The South African—who passed the landmark of 400 pro rounds during the bout—never threatened to spring a surprise, but he did hang around to earn his paycheque.
Flanagan did record two knockdowns to win by a landslide. Bad Left Hook tweeted the final scores:
He didn't lack effort in trying to force a stoppage, yet Flanagan was wayward with his punches and lacking in his usual sharpness. He looked flat.
The good news for the 27-year-old is a big test appears to be on the cards for September.
According to Warren (h/t Box Nation), talks are ongoing about a unification clash with WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin. However, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, Vasyl Lomachenko is also in play.
Either name would be fantastic for Flanagan, who will be grateful to just see the back of Fana.
The time has come for him to get involved in big fights in what is a stacked lightweight division.
Home Comforts
Williams and Corcoran somewhat saved the card with an enthralling scrap.
The pair had clashed during the buildup to the bout, adding a little extra spice to the occasion. It showed in the opening rounds too, as referee Terry O'Connor was involved early and often.
The animosity also seemed to throw both men off a little. With emotions running high, they rather let the occasion get to them for the majority of the bout's first half.
Corcoran had a point deducted in Round 8 for hitting while holding. His progress had already suffered a setback in Round 4 when a clash of heads resulted in a nasty cut over his left eye.
The Londoner wanted to drag Williams—who had never previously been beyond eight rounds—deep into the trenches. The plan worked...to a degree.
Welshman Williams had to wait until Round 11 to force a stoppage victory. Having already knocked down his rival, he applied enough pressure to force ref O'Connor to halt proceedings.
Corcoran suggested in his post-fight interview with broadcasters BoxNation that he would welcome a rematch. Warren suggested it could yet be a possibility:
However, Williams may want to move on to the next level.
He is now 15-0-1 as a pro, and the European title (currently held by Frenchman Cedric Vitu) could be his next target.
Whether they meet again or not, Corcoran and Williams produced a domestic scuffle that, while lacking in quality at times, was enough to keep all those watching interested right through to the finish.
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