Photo by Ed Mulholland
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is riding high from his victory over Nonito Donaire. HBO didn’t necessarily embrace Rigo when he first won the title and it took him a while before Top Rank could land him another TV fight. Now he has one and it’s against a game-veteran opponent in Joseph Agbeko. Agbeko has lost a few fights at the top level of the division recently and this will be an interesting challenge. But the quickness, the slickness, ring smarts and power of Rigo will be too much for the Pride of Ghana, who has apparently been training at the Mayweather gym. Roger, Floyd Sr. and Floyd Jr. can’t save Agbeko from the beating he will take Saturday night in AC.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeux will be defending his WBA, WBO and Ring championship belts against tough contender Joseph Agbeko. Agbeko is a tough SOB who has been in hellacious fights in the past, but none can prepare him for the 2-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba. I have Rigondeaux defeating his by late TKO in a great showcase fight for him.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the better boxer in this fight. He is riding high into this fight after a dominant performance against a former top five pound-for-pound fighter in Nonito Donaire. Joseph Agbeko has been in some tough fights in the past, but his pressure will be a big key to success. Agbeko is not facing a guy like Abner Mares, who can pressure and do a little boxing, but a superior and elite boxer with great defense.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is a beast. Joseph Agebeko called Rigo out at the final presser to come and brawl, he wants a banger because he may think that is his only chance of winning. I don’t see Rigondeaux banging, and there is no need for it as most Cuban fights enjoy the real sight of the sweet science. It’s called boxing, hit and try not to be hit. Even with Roger Mayweather training Agbeko, there is no chance of him beating Rigondeaux. Roger made Agbeko a better fighter for other fights, but for this fight, it will be another boxing clinic that Rigondeaux puts on.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Joseph Agbeko must make this an ugly street fight if he has any shot of beating Guillermo Rigondeaux. Rigondeaux might be a bit unorthodox, but he is a master technician in the ring. Agbeko better not try and get cute and outbox the boxer. Agbeko needs to come forward be aggressive and make this as much as a brawl as he can. Grab, clutch and punch. He still could get picked apart, but this gives him his best shot in my opinion. Rigondeaux will do what he does. He has no concerns about being flashy but let’s see if he tries to put on any type of show for the crowd. I believe Rigondeaux will use his ring intelligence to outbox and outmaneuver Agbeko.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the best boxer in the sport, outside of Floyd Mayweather. He will not let a little pre-fight gamesmanship from Joseph Agbeko let him get off his game. Even though it took a lot of work from his team to land a fight on HBO, I think Rigondeaux will continue to do what he does best and that is box. If it’s not broke, why fix it? Rigondeaux will win in dominant fashion, but he won’t become a star, and that is unfortunate. Rigondeaux is too dominant and too good for his own good.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
