Hyde: Negotiations On For Rigo vs. Santa Cruz

Guillermo Rigondeaux encouraged by

Oscar de la Hoya comment about

Leo Santa Cruz unification fight

FRIDAY UPDATE: All of us, and that includes deep insiders, even the TV-side guys, and the managers, are still trying to figure out the new lay of the land. Oscar De La Hoya settled with Richard Schaefer and Al Haymon a couple weeks ago, but it remains to be seen what degree of autonomy there is with fighters who are advised by Haymon, and promoted by Oscar. Such as Leo Santa Cruz….

Would and will Haymon stand in the way of making a LSC vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux bout? Or would he cede control of that decision to LSC and Oscar, the promoter? Rigo’s manager Gary Hyde is optimistic, as of Friday, that a Rigo-LSC scrap can get made. “I am confident the fight can be made,” Hyde told TSS. “Golden Boy, Caribe (Rigo’s promoter), myself and Rigo want it. I hope Santa Cruz wants it. He will look bad if he doesn’t take the fight.”

MIAMI (Jan. 28, 2015) – World Boxing Association (WBA) Super, World Boxing Organization (WBO) and The Ring Magazine super bantamweight champion Guillermo “The Jackal” Rigondeaux (15-0, 10 KOs) is encouraged by reports that World Boxing Council (WBC) title-holder Leo Santa Cruz‘ promoter, Oscar de la Hoya, believes a Rigondeaux-Santa Cruz unification fight has to happen.

The 34-year-old Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been restricted to Asia for his last two fights, subsequently in low-profile matches, due to the lack of desire by any world-class super bantamweight to challenge the Cuban star.

Rigondeaux stopped WBO No. 6 rated challenger Hisashi Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) after 11 rounds in Osaka, Japan this past New Year’s Eve. Last July, “Rigo” knocked out Sod Kokietgym (62-2-1) in the opening round of their fight in Macao, China.

“It’s good to know that Santa Cruz’ promoter has stated that our unification fight has to happen,” an ecstatic Rigondeaux said. “I want to add his (WBC) green belt to my WBA and WBO championship collection. I’ve wanted this fight for some time. Let’s hope this is not just idle talk. Let’s do it!”

Rigondeaux vs. Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17 KOs) would be a classic showdown between ethnic boxing arch-rivals, respectively, Cuban and Mexican fighters who now live in Miami and southern California.

“I have contacted Golden Boy Promotions many times to ask about making a fight between ‘Rigo’ and Santa Cruz,” Rigondeaux’ manager Gary Hyde added. “They always answered by saying they were interested in making this fight but not at that time. Yesterday, after learning Oscar said this fight has to happen, I reached out to Golden Boy and can confirm that negotiations have commenced. Myself and Caribe Promotions, ‘Rigo’s’ promoter, will endeavor to make this fight happen as soon as possible.

“Once ‘Rigo’ beats Santa Cruz for his third world title belt – fourth if you count The RingMagazine – a fight against International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Carl Frampton (19-0, 13 KOs) would have to happen in order to determine the undisputed super bantamweight champion of the world.”

Follow Rigondeaux and Hyde on Twitter at @RigoElChacal305 and @NoWhere2Hyde, friend them at www.facebook.com/GuillermoRigondeaux and www.facebook.com/gary.hyde.50?fref=ts.

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