Guillermo Rigondeaux Is the Greatest Fighter You've Never Heard of

“I went to sit down, and the fight was over.”

- Freddie Roach, on Guillermo’s First Round TKO of Adolfo Landeros on February 5th

If I told you about a 29-year-old fighter who was 5-0, you’d probably do as I would.

Yawn and move on.

29-year-old fighters are generally at a stage where they’ve fought for a world championship or two, or they should retire from the sport.

Guillermo Rigondeaux is the exception, and you would be well advised to start following the career of this middle-aged thorough-bred.

Rigondeaux could be, already, one of the best super bantamweights in the world.

How could a fighter with only five professional fights be considered one of the best in the world?

Because he’s a two-time gold medal winner for Cuba.

Because he’s a seven-time national champion for Cuba at the bantamweight level.

Because he claims his amateur record is 400-12.

That’s why.

He’s currently being trained by none other than the great Freddie Roach.

What’s even more interesting is that he trained and roomed with Yuriorkis Gamboa, another Cuban sensation whom I consider to be the best featherweight in the world.

Rigondeaux’s story is a familiar one for Cuban boxers.

He wanted a way out. He wanted a better life than Cuba could afford.

On July 22nd, 2007, it was reported that Rigondeaux and fellow countryman Erislandy Lara had defected at a tournament in Brazil. However, on August 2nd, 2007, both fighters were taken into custody by the Brazilian police and deported back to Cuba.

It would be almost two years later, in February 2009, when Rigondeaux would finally defect for good via Mexico (reportedly via a speed boat from Cuba). He would make his way to Miami and turn professional.

As with all Cuban defectors, his decision came at great personal angst. He had to choose to leave behind his wife and seven-year-old son.

His sacrifice could pay huge dividends for both himself and his family.

In just under a year, he has dominated all five of his professional fights. Most recently, he knocked out Adolfo Landeros with a devastating body shot about 20 seconds into the fight.

Landeros was no pushover. He was a seasoned professional with a 20-12 record.

How good is Rigondeaux at this point?

Roach is on record saying that he could beat both Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez.

I don’t doubt him.

Rigondeaux is a long, quick, athletic southpaw with great ring generalship. He could fight top 20 fighters right now with absolutely no problem.

Within a year, he should be fighting for a world championship.

Until then, I expect him to fight every month or two. After his short work of Landeros, I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought as soon as March. He needs matches under his belt as fast as possible.

I would love to see him go up in weight and fight his friend and countryman, Yuriorkis Gamboa, within a few years.

No doubt they’ve had some vicious sparring matches.

Until then, watch for him as much as possible. I absolutely love watching Cuban fighters and can’t wait to see more of Rigondeaux.