42 Year-Old Guillermo Rigondeaux Knocks Out Jesus Martinez
On February 24 showcased on a non-televised event, two-divisional champion Guillermo “El Chacal” Rigondeaux (21-3, 14KO) makes an impressive return to the ring with a brutal first-round stoppage over veteran Jesus Martinez (33-18-1, 16KO) in a bantamweight showdown
In March 2022, Rigondeaux was looking at retirement following a cooking incident that severally burned his eyes. Later that year, boxing fans were glad to hear he fully recovered and was ready to return to the ring.
RELATED: Guillermo Rigondeaux Fully Recovered Ready For 2023 Return!
The 42 year-old Cuban came out firing at the opening bell in an unusually aggressive manner. Letting his hands go early, El Chacal dropped Martinez with a body shot before ending the fight with a punishing straight left hand.
El Chacal was on a mission to kill any talks of retiring. He needed a performance like this returning to the ring after losing to former WBO champion John Riel Casimero and now top contender Vincent Astrolabio in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
RELATED: Rigondeaux On Naoya Inoue: “The Only Guy He’s Beaten Is Donaire!”
WHAT COULD BE NEXT FOR RIGO
Undoubtedly the Cuban is going to want to make one last run at a world title. Well, he has a shot considering the division is open following the departure of undisputed champion Naoya Inoue.
With all the top guys busy in vacant title fights, Rigo could look to challenge fighters such as Melvin Lopez, Sho Ishida, or Victor Santillan. He could target former champions Kal Yafai, Paul Butler, Daigo Higa, or Jerwin Ancajas. Maybe a rematch with Nonito Donaire could be down the line as well.
It will be interesting to see if Rigondeaux can maintain this aggressive style going forward. It is something fans have wanted him to do for years and it seems to have suited him well for now.
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