Drian Francisco and Guillermo Rigondeaux face off at the presser (Photo : RingTV/Naoki Fukuda)
Former two-time Olympic gold medallist, Guillermo "El Chacal" Rigondeaux (16-0, 10 KO's) routed Drian "Gintong Kamao" Francisco (28-4-1, 22 KO's) earlier Saturday evening, November 21, at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, to win by unanimous decision 97-93, 100-90, 100-90.
The pair fought at the super bantamweight limit of 122 pounds in a 10-rounder on the undercard of the Miguel Cotto-Canelo Alvarez super fight.
As expected, Rigondeaux stifled Francisco with superior ring generalship and pinpoint accurate punching. Francisco tried to get the Cuban to engage by swinging wildly with overhand rights and wide left hooks, oftentimes shuffling his feet in and out to confuse the former Olympian, but Rigondeaux just would not oblige.
Rigondeaux stuck to his guns and spun Francisco in circles, frustrating the former world title challenger.
Rigondeaux has been heavily criticized in his career due to his lack-of-action style. Top Rank chief Bob Arum and HBO bigwigs have both chastised Rigondeaux in the past.
Still, Rigondeaux went in the ring Saturday night and did what he does best, and that's to outbox. With the performance, Rigondeaux stamps his claim as arguably the most talented and purest boxer in the sport today after Floyd Mayweather's retirement.
There isn't anyone on the horizon who is even remotely capable of challenging Rigondeaux at 122 pounds. Only Vasyl Lomachenko, who competes at featherweight and is also a two-time Olympic champion, can give Rigondeaux a real test.
However, Rigondeaux has stated recently that he will not move up in weight to face Lomachenko, drawing the ire of fans anew.
Former multiple-division world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire has expressed interest in a rematch with Rigondeaux. Donaire dropped a unanimous decision to the cuban in 2013, but says "Rigondeaux has to beat me twice to make me a believer.'
With the victory, the only high-profile fight left for Rigondeaux is the only man willing to face him -- Donaire.
