GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX has responded to the criticism surrounding his latest performance – a drab but one-sided 10-round points win victory over Drian Francisco on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s victory over Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. The Cuban has endured a tough 12 months, having been stripped of his WBA and WBO super-bantamweight titles due to inactivity, but had promised that his signing with Roc Nation would herald a change in fortunes.
“I feel terrific after the fight,” said Rigondeaux. “He threw heavy but his style has nothing on mine. My style outmatched his. It’s been 11 months since I’ve been in the ring and I definitely felt some cobwebs but I’d like to see some other fighters be out 11 months and come back with a win.”
The contest was the least entertaining on the bill, and those in attendance were booing the lack of action from as early as the first round.
“I definitely wanted to give the fans a better fight so I need to get back in to the gym, get more active to give a better performance. I promise that with the tools I have now after signing with Roc Nation that next time I’ll be explosive. Thank you to my team for helping me get this win.”
Francisco lost by two scores of 100-90, and one of 97-93, and despite being outclassed, did not have any words of congratulation for his conqueror.
“Rigondeaux is not a fighter, he is a runner,” said Francisco. “He is afraid of getting hurt and doesn’t want to fight. I felt pressured into being the aggressor during this fight because he wasn’t fighting, he was running away. He is not a power puncher and won by points. I trained really hard for this fight and I feel like it was a waste of time because I didn’t encounter a fighter tonight.”
