Boxing News: Guillermo Rigondeaux Set to Make Bare-Knuckle Debut, BKFC Prez Shares Fight Details

43-year-old boxer-par-excellence Guillermo Rigondeaux, if reports are to be believed, would soon be making a mark in an all-together different ring. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and world champion last fought Charlie Clemente-Andino on the Adrien Broner–Bill Hutchinson undercard on June 9 last year.

It remains uncertain how many of the fans will take the latest news about the boxing legend from Cuba. Many laud Rigondeaux as an exceptional generational talent. The former two-division champion’s 2017 duel with another technical wizard, Vasyl Lomachenko, is still remembered fondly by many aficionados. But, sadly, he hasn’t had much of a breakthrough in the last few years. So is that the reason why he could be trying his luck elsewhere? The boxer survived a major domestic accident in 2022, leaving many concerned about his health.

Guillermo Rigondeaux: Gloved-Ungloved

According to an early morning post from Michael Benson, where he cited MMA Fighting as the reported source, Guillermo Rigondeaux will be making a bare-knuckle fight debut on May 11. The fight will seemingly take place at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. The tweet read, “Guillermo Rigondeaux will make his bare-knuckle boxing debut on May 11th at Mohegan Sun, according to BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) president David Feldman. [@MMAFighting]“

A few followers appeared enthused by the update. One follower said, “Bro had a pressure cooker blow up in his face and then retired. Now he’s gonna become a champion in BNB.” However, many seemed to express sadness at the way things have turned out for the boxing great. “Sad to see a generational great having to stoop to this,” said one of the users.

Very few boxers in history boast the kind of amateur record that Guillermo Rigondeaux held.

‘The Jackal’s summit to glory

Aside from the seven Cuban National Championships, he went on to win gold medals at the Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) Summer Olympics. He excelled during the world championships in Belfast (2001) and Mianyang (2005). His exploits continued at the World Cup, the Pan American Games, and other regional series such as the Central American and Caribbean Games.

In 2009, he switched over to professional boxing. Over a year after his debut, Rigondeaux won his first world championship in November 2010. Three years later, his victory over Nonito Donaire made him the unified super bantamweight champion.

On December 9, 2017, he suffered his first career loss at the hands of Vasyl Lomachenko while staking a claim to the WBO super featherweight title. He became the WBA (regular) bantamweight champion in 2020. However, the subsequent two outings ended in disasters.

In March 2022, Guillermo Rigondeaux met with a horrific accident at home that injured his eyes. However, he staged a comeback last year and won both the ten-round bouts. Fans will be eagerly looking forward to another series of dazzling performances from ‘The Jackal’ in the four-rope ‘squared circle’.

Read More: BKFC President Provides Huge Update on the Francis Ngannou Deal: “He’s Asking for Unrealistic Money”

What’s your take on the news of Rigondeaux’s BKFC move? Do you think staying back in gloved boxing could have helped him further?

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