10 Best Boxing Fighters In The World Today (Pound For Pound)

8. Guillermo Rigondeaux

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wewXSWNEovA Alias: El Chacal Division: Super Bantamweight Age: 33 Country: Cuba Record: 13-0 (8 KOs) Titles: Current WBA (Super) & WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion The former two time Olympic Gold Medalist, Rigondeaux, is considered the greatest amateur fighter of all time in many circles. There were, however, question marks as to whether he could translate his amateur style and be as successful in the professional ranks. He's since proved any doubters wrong, winning an interim world title in his seventh contest as a professional and becoming a world champion after 9 contests. Indeed, he knocked out Rico Ramos in the 8th round for the WBA world super bantamweight title in January 2012. Further wins over Teon Kennedy (TKO) and Robert Marroquin (unanimous decision) followed to complete a successful 2012. This set up a huge unification bout with then-WBO champion and 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire in April 2013. Rigondeaux's style isn't the most crowd pleasing, the fans at the RadioCity Hall in New York voiced their displeasure as Rigondeaux was able to display his defensive mastery, dodging and weaving Donaire for the first nine rounds, whilst also countering with shots seemingly at will. Donaire was able to gain some success in the tenth round, even dropping Rigondeaux to the canvas, but even by the end of that round, Rigondeaux was back in control. The Cuban even came close to stopping Donaire in the closing stages, as Donaire had suffered large swelling to his right eye. Rigondeaux gained a unanimous decision from the judges, but he made little fans due to his non-exciting style. He's practically a victim of his own success, as there were rumblings last year that top American broadcaster HBO were no longer interested in showcasing his fights. Fortunately for Rigondeaux, he was able to land a slot on the network in December of last year, with Joseph Agbeko his opponent this time around. It was a heavily one sided, dull contest in which each of the three judges at ringside scored every round to Rigondeaux. Bob Arum, of promoters Top Rank Inc., has indicated that he is planning on setting up a massive showdown between Rigondeaux and fellow dual Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko in the near future. Lomachenko turned professional in late 2013 and is fighting for a world title in just his second fight in the paid ranks; He takes on WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido on March 1. A fight with Lomachenko would of course require Rigondeaux to move up a weight class.