Talks begin for eventual Guillermo Rigondeaux-Scott Quigg clash

Jul

Amiable Irishman Gary Hyde checked in with RingTV.com to give us the latest lowdown on what might come next for his Cuban fistic master, Guillermo Rigondeaux. Rigo, THE RING’s 122-pound champ, has been off since December.

“We can confirm that talks have started between Eddie Hearn and me with regards to Scott Quigg fighting Guillermo Rigondeaux in Manchester before the year is out. Eddie told me this morning that Quigg is ready to step up and take on Rigondeaux,” said Hyde. “We will continue talks this week in a bid to make this fight. Rigo has no problem traveling to Manchester for this fight, so once the numbers add up, we will get it on.

“This has been a frustrating year for us with no 122 pounder eager to challenge Rigo. Now we have two options on the burner, possible mouth-watering clash, albeit at 126, against Vasyl Lomachenko and now a possible world title defense against Scott Quigg. Quigg took care of business last night against the menacing, big-punching former world champion Kiko Martinez, knocking the Spaniard out in round two.”

According to Hyde, “Rigo would be a much more difficult opponent for Quigg but it’s great that Quigg has belief in his ability to lay down his challenge.”

The Brit’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, told RingTV.com what he thinks of Rigo vs. Quigg.

“I think the fight is inevitable, it’s just a matter of when,” Hearn said. “I think you are talking about the No.1 and No. 2 super bantamweights in the world and as much as I rate Rigo, I think there are so many more levels to see from Scott. We will continue to build Scott and as soon as that fight becomes PPV in the UK, it can happen. Scott wants the biggest fights in the division and of course that process has to include Rigondeaux.”

He added an addendum which added a new wrinkle, though. “I think Nonito Donaire v Quigg is more likely than Quigg v Rigo,” Hearn said.

I confess to being a Rigo rooter, so I would be keen to see Rigo-Quigg first; what about you, RingTV readers?