Boxing: Rigondeaux to Fight Lomachenko Later This Year

Two of the world’s most gifted boxers appear to be ready to lock horns later this year as it was reported Wednesday that Guillermo Rigondeaux’s manager has accepted an offer for his fighter to face Vasyl Lomachenko. Though exact details have not been released and an official date or venue has not been set, the two former all-time great amateurs will give it a go by year’s end.

Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs), widely regarded as a fighter among the top 10 pound-for-pound, currently holds the WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine super bantamweight titles. He also won two gold medals at the Olympics. Lomachenko is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and is considered to be one of the greatest to ever compete in the amateur ranks. Just five fights into his professional career, “Hi-Tech” has already nabbed the WBO featherweight crown.

"(Rigondeaux) will fight Lomachenko at a catch-weight of 124 pounds,” said Gary Hyde, the Cuban’s manager, in a statement. “It should be no problem for Lomachenko because he weighed 125 pounds for one of his professional fights. ‘Rigo’ is a small 122-pounder who could make 118 without much trouble, but he would be giving away size and weight advantages to face Lomachenko.

“Lomachenko is a masterful fighter like 'Rigo' and this match- up will be a classic,” he added. “We have a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists and current world champions going at it.”